Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) accused Ukraine of holding an American journalist “hostage” even as President Joe Biden asks Congress to send them more taxpayer money.
Vance was responding to a story updating the situation involving Gonzalo Lira, a prolific online personality who was arrested back in May on charges of producing pro-Russian propaganda.
The charges could result in his being imprisoned for anywhere between five to eight years.
Vance (R-OH), a critic of how Ukraine has jailed Christian leaders in the past, was responding to reports that Lira was, nearly five months later, still “languishing in a Ukrainian prison” on those charges.
“Ukraine is holding an American journalist hostage,” the congressman fumed. “This is a disgrace. And why is the Biden admin opening up the checkbook without any accountability?”
Ukraine is holding an American journalist hostage. This is a disgrace. And why is the Biden admin opening up the checkbook without any accountability? https://t.co/sYwAZfzkVM
— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) September 19, 2023
RELATED: J.D. Vance Exposes Pence’s False Claim That Christian Leaders Aren’t Being Jailed In Ukraine
Is Ukraine Holding An American Journalist Hostage?
Vance’s comments can be broken up into two very distinct issues. While the term “hostage” might be a bit strong, the notion that an American sitting in jail because of alleged pro-Russia propaganda is an issue.
Especially when this becomes a free speech matter “in the supposed democracy the Biden administration argues is worthy of more taxpayer dollars.”
Here in America, “pro-Russia propaganda” once upon a time was an argument against Hunter Biden’s laptop being real. Imagine being imprisoned for reporting on the First Crackhead’s computer.
Ukraine is on a war footing and they’re not the United States of America, but the administration and media have drilled it into our heads that they represent the very same values.
The State Department issued a statement saying that they “are aware of the detention of Mr. Lira in Ukraine” and “providing all appropriate assistance.”
Thank you JD for speaking up for American citizen and journalist @GonzaloLira1968. What’s happening/happened to him is horrifying and wrong—especially knowing the US is aware of Ukrainians capturing him and have done nothing to help ?
— Te?asLindsay™ (@TexasLindsay_) September 19, 2023
Vance also previously shared a story about the pretrial detention in July of a senior Orthodox cleric who had been detained in Kyiv.
The cleric, who hails from a church with historic links to Moscow, had been arrested on suspicion of inflaming religious hatred and justifying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Remember: the Ukraine war is all about freedom,” he sarcastically wrote on X. “Sometimes religious freedom requires jailing priests you don’t like. Or something.”
And journalists.
Remember: the Ukraine war is all about freedom. Sometimes religious freedom requires jailing priests you don’t like. Or something. https://t.co/6zIbaWNmGv
— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) July 19, 2023
More Money For Ukraine With No Accountability
The update on Lira’s situation comes as President Joe Biden has requested Congress approve a nearly $40 billion aid package that includes $24 billion for Ukraine.
“Opening up the checkbook without any accountability,” as Vance puts it.
During his speech at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Biden implored world leaders to get on board with supporting Ukraine’s fight, framing it as a good investment.
“It’s not only an investment in Ukraine’s future, but in the future of every country that seeks a world governed by basic rules that apply equally to all nations and uphold the rights of every nation, no matter how big or how small,” Biden said.
Joe Biden is demanding $24 billion MORE for Ukraine but just came out and said he will veto the Defense bill because it gives a pay raise to junior troops (E1-E6) from $22K per year to $31K.
Joe Biden even hates his own troops.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene?? (@RepMTG) September 19, 2023
But “basic rules” of free speech, apparently, are not a goal in Ukraine, and President Biden appears to be fine with that.
Senator Vance, during an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham two months ago, said that the United States needs to “stop supporting the Ukraine war effort.”
During an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “Jesse Watters Primetime” Tuesday, Vance said that the war in Ukraine has made many people wealthy.
“I really guess that five years from now, we’re going to find out that between the Clintons and a number of American private equity firms and other hyper-global corporations that, you’re going to find a lot of people have gotten rich from this, and it’s really sad and it is really despicable,” he opined.
Today, the Clinton Global Initiative announced their very own program to rebuild Ukraine. The US is sending the World Bank $25 billion. Then, the World Bank is sending money to the Clintons. And then the Clintons are sending it to Ukraine.
Joe Biden also just appointed a… pic.twitter.com/8Do1WE9GQK
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) September 20, 2023
The Political Insider reported on Tuesday that the Clinton Global Initiative will provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine and help it rebuild in the midst of Russia’s ongoing invasion.
The CGI Ukraine Action Network was formally announced on Tuesday along with “numerous monetary commitments for Ukraine.”
“You can almost see the elites of Washington and New York City salivating over acquiring more power and more money for themselves on the backs of the Ukrainian war effort,” Vance told Watters.
It’s America last under the Biden regime once again.
Now is the time to support and share the sources you trust.
The Political Insider ranks #3 on Feedspot’s “100 Best Political Blogs and Websites.”
Zelinsky is cousin to Putin