Last summer, the Biden administration pulled off an exceedingly difficult diplomatic feat, coordinating with several other countries — many of which do not get along — to bring home a group of U.S. residents who were wrongly imprisoned in Russia. Among those who returned to American soil were journalist Evan Gershkovich and Marine veteran Paul Whelan.
It was, as an NBC News report put it, the kind of “major multinational prisoner exchange” unseen since the days of the Cold War.
Donald Trump, watching the developments from the sidelines, quickly issued a hearty congratulations — to Russia’s Vladimir Putin. The Republican characterized the seven-nation deal as “horrible,” adding that when he was in the White House and wanted to bring American prisoners home, “I never paid anything.”
He was, of course, lying about his own record — Trump agreed to pay $2 million to North Korea as part of Otto Warmbier’s release — but the bogus boast was nevertheless memorable: To take a rhetorical shot at the Democratic White House, Trump talked about his unique ability to free American detainees abroad without paying a price.
It was against this backdrop that there was some great news worth celebrating this week: Marc Fogel, an American history teacher wrongfully detained in Russia, was released and returned to American soil. When a reporter asked Trump whether the United States had to give up anything in return for Fogel’s return, the Republican said, “Not much.”
He did not elaborate or share any additional details.
Soon after, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who’s struggled since arriving at Foggy Bottom, boasted, in reference to Fogel’s release, “I think it’s also important to note it was not in return for anything.”
That wasn’t true. As NBC News reported:
A trade executed Tuesday returned Marc Fogel to the United States after years of imprisonment in Russia in exchange for Alexander Vinnik, who pleaded guilty in the United States to money-laundering charges.
The same report added, “Administration officials would not disclose what, if anything, else Moscow may have gained in the negotiations beyond Vinnik’s freedom.” In other words, Russia gave up an educator who did nothing wrong, while the United States gave up, at a minimum, a convicted “cybercrime kingpin.” Bragging to reporters on Tuesday night, the American president said the agreement that brought Fogel home was “not like deals you’ve seen” under other recent presidents. Reality, of course, points in the opposite direction: This was exactly like the deals seen under other administrations. True to form, Trump added, “We appreciate President Putin, what he did, he was able to pull it off.” Because if there’s one thing this president is good at, it’s expressing his gratitude to Russia’s autocratic leader.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past."
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