Biden Says He Hopes To Meet With Parents Of Trevor Reed, Former Marine Detained In Russia

Topline

President Joe Biden told reporters Wednesday he intends to meet with the parents of Trevor Reed, who were protesting outside the White House to call attention to the Marine veteran’s imprisonment in Russia.

Key Facts

Reed, who was sentenced by a Moscow judge to nine years in prison in 2020 under disputed charges, is on day three of a hunger strike from his Russian jail cell, his parents Joey and Paula Reed announced Tuesday, protesting what he believes to be improper treatment of a possible tuberculosis infection.

Biden said Wednesday he thinks Reed’s parents are “good people,” and he told them in a phone call March 8 he thinks about their son nearly every day and said the rosary for him during a trip to Fort Worth, Reed’s hometown.

Key Background

After Reed was convicted in July 2020 of assaulting Russian police officers in a drunken incident he said he didn’t remember, U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan said the case was “ridiculous” and “absurd.” Russia is also holding two other Americans: WNBA star Britney Griner, who was detained last month, and fellow former Marine Paul Whelan, who was detained in December 2018. The State Department has issued a “Do Not Travel” advisory for Russia, warning U.S. citizens that authorities are “singling out” Americans for detention.

Crucial Quote

“We believe the president is the only person who can save our son’s life. The time is now to bring home Trevor, Paul Whelan and Britney Griner,” Joey and Paula Reed said in a Tuesday statement.

Further Reading

Former Marine gets nine years in a Russian jail over a drunken incident he says he cannot remember (Washington Post)

Trevor Reed, former Marine in Russian prison, goes on hunger strike over rights violations (Washington Post)

Biden said rosary for Trevor Reed, Marine jailed in Russia, tells parents ‘my heart aches for you’ (Dallas Morning-News)

Brittney Griner In ‘Good Condition,’ U.S. Reports After Finally Visiting With WNBA Star (Forbes)

Why It Seems Like The World Has Abandoned Brittney Griner (Forbes)

U.S. warns Moscow may be targeting Americans for detention in Russia (Axios)

Basketball star Brittney Griner is the latest American to be detained in Russia as supporters work desperately to free them (CNN)