Donald Trump has finally called for the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich

 

Former President Donald Trump has finally called for the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia for over a year on espionage charges. In an interview with Time magazine, Trump stated, "The reporter should be released and he will be released... I don't know if he's going to be released under (President Joe) Biden. I would get him released."

Gershkovich's detention has been widely condemned by the US government and media outlets. The Biden administration has been vocal in its calls for his release, with President Biden himself stating, "We are doing everything we can" to secure his freedom. The US State Department has also officially declared Gershkovich wrongfully detained by Russia.

In contrast, Trump's previous silence on the matter had been notable, with the Wall Street Journal's editorial board last month questioning, "Why the silence, sir?" Trump's reluctance to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin has been a long-standing feature of his political career.

Gershkovich, 32, was arrested in March 2023 in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg and has been imprisoned in Moscow's Lefortovo Prison. The Russian government has yet to provide any evidence to support its claim of espionage, and the US government has repeatedly called for his release.

The Biden administration has been working to secure Gershkovich's release, including offering to trade a large number of Russian nationals detained on espionage charges abroad in exchange for his freedom, as well as that of fellow American Paul Whelan. However, these efforts have not yet yielded results.

In response to Trump's comments, the White House reiterated its call for Gershkovich's immediate release, with deputy press secretary Andrew Bates stating, "President Biden has worked ceaselessly for Evan's freedom... and he will continue to demand both Evan and Paul's release." Bates also emphasized the importance of journalism, saying, "Journalism is not a crime... and reporters are not 'enemies of the people' but, instead, critical to democracy."

Gershkovich's detention has highlighted the ongoing repression of independent voices in Russia and the country's war on truth. His case has drawn widespread attention and condemnation from media outlets and human rights organizations around the world. As the US government continues to work towards his release, Trump's belated call for his freedom is a welcome development, even if it comes after a year of silence.