WASHINGTON — Michael Waltz, President-elect Trump’s nominee for national security adviser, warned on Monday that Trump would take a hardline stance against groups or countries holding Americans hostage.
In a statement following a meeting with the family of Ryan Corbett, one of several U.S. citizens detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan, Waltz emphasized Washington’s commitment to securing the release of American hostages. “We will do everything we can for these families and to stop this madness,” he wrote on X.
The remarks came as the Biden administration continues efforts to secure the release of three Americans currently detained in Afghanistan. President Biden spoke with the families of Ryan Corbett, George Glezmann, and Mahmood Habibi on Sunday, but, according to the Associated Press, no deal has yet been reached to bring them home.
Ryan Corbett, who had been living in Afghanistan with his family at the time of the U.S.-backed government’s collapse in 2021, was abducted by the Taliban in August 2022 while on a business trip.
George Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, was taken by the Taliban’s intelligence services in December 2022 while traveling through the country.
Mahmood Habibi, whose case remains classified in many details, has been held by the Taliban since 2022, according to U.S. intelligence reports.
Waltz’s comments reflect growing frustration in Washington over the detention of Americans abroad and highlight the challenges of negotiating with governments or groups like the Taliban, whose demands often complicate diplomatic efforts.
“We will not tolerate the exploitation of innocent Americans for leverage or gain,” Waltz said, reiterating Trump’s historical policy of pressuring hostage-takers with sanctions and other measures.
While Biden’s administration continues its diplomatic efforts, the fate of the three detainees remains uncertain. Family members of the hostages have called for stronger action from Washington, urging both political parties to prioritize their loved ones’ safe return.