Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) suggested Thursday that fear of a second Trump administration motivated Russia to agree to the historic prisoner swap with the U.S.
Vance, former President Trump’s 2024 running mate, called the prisoner exchange “great news” in an interview with CNN.
“We certainly want these Americans to come back home. It was ridiculous that they were in prison to begin with,” Vance said.
“But we have to ask ourselves: Why are they coming home? And I think it’s because bad guys all over the world recognize Donald Trump’s about to be back in office, so they’re cleaning house,” he said. “That’s a good thing, and I think it’s a testament to Donald Trump’s strength.”
The prisoner swap, which involved seven countries, was the largest prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia since the end of the Cold War.
Among those freed by Russia were Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, Biden confirmed in a statement.
Others freed include Alsu Kurmasheva, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen and journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Vladimir Kara-Murza, a U.S. resident and prominent Russian opposition politician. Allies of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny are reportedly included, as well.