President Trump drew loud cheers at a rally on Friday evening when he announced that Pastor Andrew Brunson — newly released from Turkey and heading home — is expected to visit him in the Oval Office on Saturday, Fox News informed.
“We bring a lot of people back,” the President told the crowd in Lebanon, Ohio, near Cincinnati. It was an apparent reference not only to the release of Brunson, but to the negotiated return of three American hostages from North Korea in May. President Trump also won the release of three UCLA basketball players who were detained in China last November.
Earlier in the day, Trump spoke with reporters about Brunson, after it was confirmed that the 50-year-old North Carolina pastor was beginning his journey home after being detained for two years.
“He’s, I think, in good shape,” the President said. “He’ll be stopping most likely in Germany for a full check-up and then he’s going to be coming to the Oval Office, most likely on Saturday.”
“But we’re very honored to have him back with us,” Trump continued. “He suffered greatly, but we’re very appreciative to a lot of people.”
Reports late Friday said Brunson had arrived at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, with plans later to fly to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, near Washington, D.C.
Brunson was ordered released Friday by a Turkish court, ending a diplomatic dispute between Washington and the Turkish government in Ankara. The court dropped an espionage charge against Brunson, who had faced up to 35 years in jail if convicted of all the charges against him.
He was among tens of thousands of people, mostly Turks, who were caught up in a government crackdown after a failed coup.
Winning freedom for Brunson was a diplomatic triumph for Trump, who is counting on the support of evangelical Christians for Republican candidates ahead of congressional elections in November.
Vice President Mike Pence tweeted Friday about Brunson’s impending return to the U.S.
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., also tweeted about Brunson’s release.
“NC native Pastor Andrew Brunson has been freed! I’m grateful for the efforts of President Trump, the State Department and my Senate colleagues for fighting to secure his release. I look forward to welcoming him home!” Tillis wrote.
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