President Trump just secured the release of a hostage from the Taliban in Afghanistan and he didn’t give them anything.
Of course, I’m referencing the deal Joe Biden nearly made to release two American hostages from the Taliban, one of them George Glezmann, which would have been a trade for three Taliban members being held in American custody.
Now President Trump steps into the Oval Office and brings Glezmann home by giving the Taliban only a hope of maybe ending Afghanistan’s international isolation.
Here’s more from WSJ:
The Taliban has released American George Glezmann, ending his two-year detainment and giving President Trump a diplomatic victory that could reshape U.S. relations with Afghanistan.The Taliban agreed to send Glezmann back to the U.S. in exchange for improved relations with Washington, U.S. officials said, forgoing its previous demand that America hand over imprisoned Taliban members.
In a Thursday statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “George’s release is a positive and constructive step. It is also a reminder that other Americans are still detained in Afghanistan.”
Trump, he continued, “will continue his tireless work to free ALL Americans unjustly detained around the world.”
The Taliban didn’t respond immediately to a request for comment.
Dennis Fitzpatrick, a lawyer for the Glezmann family, praised the Trump administration’s efforts to bring George home after 836 days, directly naming Rubio, U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler, and national security adviser Mike Waltz. “George’s release was achieved based on the unique skill and dedication of these people,” he said
Boehler traveled to Kabul to get Glezmann, U.S. officials said.
The talks to secure Glezmann’s release were mediated by Qatar, which has hosted senior Taliban leaders since 2013 with the support of the U.S.
Glezmann, a Delta Air Lines mechanic, was touring Afghanistan when the Taliban seized him in December 2022. The State Department designated him as wrongfully detained 10 months after he was seized, giving the administration vast authorities to secure his release. The Biden administration’s struggles to bring him home at one point led Glezmann’s family to consider direct negotiations with the Taliban.
But it appears the Taliban has let Glezmann go to catalyze talks that might, eventually, end Afghanistan’s international isolation.
Another great win for President Trump and his administration. It is clear that Trump gets amazing results where former presidents like Biden and Obama have to make horrible deals in order to get hostages released.
