Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) credited his running mate Donald Trump after President Joe Biden effectively negotiated the release of Americans who were wrongfully detained in Russia.
On Thursday, former Marine Paul Whelan, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza were released from detention in Russia following negotiations between President Joe Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and other foreign leaders from half a dozen countries—none of which included Donald Trump.
Yet, while speaking with reporters on Thursday, Vance praised Trump for his role in securing the release of the prisoners.
“We have to ask ourselves, why are they coming home?” Vance said. “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. That’s a good thing. And I think it’s a testament to Donald Trump’s strength.”
Trump has repeatedly claimed that he would be the only one to be able to secure the release American wrongfully detained in Russia without giving anything up despite him failing to do so while he was in office.
Biden pointed out that fact at the White House on Thursday when asked by a reporter: “Trump has said repeatedly that he could have gotten the hostages out without giving them anything in exchange. What do you say to that? What do you say to President Trump now? Former President Trump?”
“Why didn’t he do it when he was president?” Biden responded.
