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Trump’s Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Robert O’Brien who was in Sweden for A$AP Rocky’s assault trial apparently told USAToday reporter Kim Hjelmgaard that it is “entirely appropriate” for him to be in Sweden even though this was a criminal case. “When foreign govts. hold American citizens it’s always appropriate”.

The things we learn these days!

As of December 2018, the Bureau of Consular Affairs has conducted 10,399 visits to U.S. citizens in prison overseas. Note – prison visits not hostage visits. Only a few of those U.S. citizens make the news (see CA Fact Sheet).

The Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs also said publicly, while tagging his ultimate boss on Twitter, that the president “has made bringing our fellow citizens home a center piece of his foreign policy”.

Consular work just got so utterly fascinating. Now, which ones of the over 10,000 prison visits by consular officers to U.S. citizens incarcerated overseas will now be done by the special envoy? Which fellow citizens jailed overseas will be brought home next?

@realDonaldTrump has made bringing our fellow citizens home a center piece of his foreign policy. Good night for #A$AP Rocky, David, Bladimir & their families. https://t.co/GZvEyt28xt

— U.S. Special Presidential Envoy O’Brien (@StateSPEHA) August 2, 2019

The US government sent a letter warning of "negative consequences" in US-Swedish relations if A$AP Rocky's hearing wasn't resolved quickly https://t.co/vt9y2TlW7l pic.twitter.com/PLLXfqwUFf

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) August 3, 2019

Trump’s special envoy for hostage affairs, Robert O’Brien, who is in Stockholm attending the #ASAPRocky trial, tells me it is “entirely appropriate” for him to be here even though this is a purely criminal case. “When foreign govts. hold American citizens it’s always appropriate”

— Kim Hjelmgaard (@khjelmgaard) August 1, 2019

Care to comment? https://t.co/UVQKK6YUlI

— Jakob Andresen (@jakobandresen) August 3, 2019

And while we're on the subject of hostages, #PaulWhelan who needs to be released from Russia and allowed to return to his home in Novi, Michigan. No evidence has been presented against Paul and he has been held for 7 months in the notorious prison Lefortovo. #freePaulWhelan

— Elizabeth Whelan (@elizabethwhelan) August 1, 2019

Next case? Better get cracking…,https://t.co/L2T6kGVVdO

— Francois Duchastel 🇸🇪🇨🇦🇪🇺 (@FDuchastel888) August 3, 2019

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