Former President Donald Trump was blown away by President Joe Biden’s decision to hand terrorist-sponsoring Iran $6 billion in a prisoner exchange deal.
On Monday, reports revealed that Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, had approved an agreement in which the United States would secure the release of five American individuals held captive in Iran. In exchange, the U.S. would release five Iranian prisoners and unfreeze $6 billion in assets.
In a series of Truth Social posts, the current frontrunner in the GOP criticized Biden’s decision, labeling it a “terrible deal” that could potentially result in terrorism and increased challenges for Americans overseas.
“So, lets get this straight! We did a hostage TRADE with Iran. We gave them 5 very tough, smart people that they desperately wanted. We likewise got back 5 people BUT, we also gave them 6 BILLION DOLLARS! How much of a kickback does Crooked Joe Biden get? Does anyone realize how much money 6 Billion Dollars is? When I was President, I got back 58 hostages for ZERO money. Remember Pastor Brunson? It sets a TERRIBLE precedent. Republicans, call out the 25th Amendment, NOW! Biden is INCOMPETENT!” he wrote.
“He had the audacity to announce this terrible deal today, September 11th. To pay for hostages will lead to kidnapping, ransom, and blackmail against Americans across the globe. I freed many dozens of our people from various unfriendly countries and never paid a dime!” Trump added.
The Daily Wire added:
On Monday, Congress was notified of the deal the Biden administration made with Iran. The agreement includes a blanket waiver allowing international banks to transfer $6 billion from South Korea to Qatar without the possibility of sanctions from the U.S. Once in Qatar’s central bank, Iran can request funds to pay for humanitarian goods…
In his series of posts, the former president referenced evangelical Pastor Andrew Brunson, whose freedom he helped secure after being detained for roughly two years in Turkey, in addition to 57 other hostages he says he helped free for “ZERO money.” Trump said Biden’s move sets a “TERRIBLE precedent” and urged the 25th Amendment be invoked.
A National Security Council spokeswoman defended the deal and claimed that the U.S. would supervise the disbursement of the funds.
“As we have said from the outset, what is being pursued here is an arrangement wherein we secure the release of five wrongfully held Americans,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said. “This remains a sensitive and ongoing process.”
However, in an interview with NBC News, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said the money “belongs to the Iranian people, the Iranian government, so the Islamic Republic of Iran will decide what to do with this money.”
According to a 2019 report from the U.S. State Department, Iran is considered “the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism.”
