PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WANTS TO PUNISH PEOPLE WHO WRONGFULLY DETAIN AMERICANS ABROAD, AND PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION TO THE FAMILIES OF DETAINEES.
TO THAT END, THE PRESIDENT SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TUESDAY ADDRESSING THESE TWO THINGS.
THE PLIGHT OF DETAINED AMERICAN CITIZENS ABROAD IS GAINING ATTENTION THANKS TO THE ONGOING DETENTION OF WNBA STAR BRITTNEY GRINER.
GRINER’S STORY OF GETTING ARRESTED AT A RUSSIAN AIRPORT FOR THC VAPE CARTRIDGES, AND THE SHAM DRUG-TRAFFICKING TRIAL THAT FOLLOWED, BROUGHT INTO FOCUS THE POPULATION OF AMERICANS JAILED OVERSEAS AND DESIGNATED BY THE U.S. AS WRONGFULLY DETAINED.
BIDEN’S EXECUTIVE ORDER WOULD ALLOW THE ADMINISTRATION TO APPLY SANCTIONS ON PEOPLE BELIEVED TO BE INVOLVED IN THE WRONGFUL DETENTION OF AMERICANS. THE ORDER COULD APPLY TO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, OR TO CRIMINALS AND TERRORISTS WHO AREN’T AFFILIATED WITH ANY GOVERNMENT.
THE ORDER ALSO DIRECTS FEDERAL AGENCIES TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT WITH THE FAMILIES OF DETAINEES, AND SHARE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR CASE AND EFFORTS TO GET THEIR LOVED ONES HOME.
THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SAYS THE EXECUTIVE ORDER WILL HOLD CRIMINALS ACCOUNTABL.
A SPOKESPERSON FOR A GROUP THAT ADVOCATES FOR HOSTAGES AND DETAINEES SAID THE WHITE HOUSE IS TAKING EXECUTIVE ACTION TO DIRECT ITSELF TO FOLLOW EXISTING LAW.
IT’S UNCLEAR WHETHER THIS NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER WILL HAVE ANY IMPACT ON BRINGING BRITTNEY GRINER HOME, OR ANY OF THE DOZENS OF OTHER AMERICANS WRONGFULLY DETAINED OVERSEAS.