Former hostage Trevor Reed endorses Rep. August Pfluger for re-election

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Austin Reed was held in a Russian prison for almost 1,000 days. He was arrested in 2019 on charges of assaulting a police officer. He was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2020. His family maintained his innocence all along. Republican Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11) is running for re-election. The Pfluger campaign has released an ad with Reed’s endorsement. In the ad, Reed credits Pfluger with keeping his case in the public’s eye. “Today, I’m free because August never gives up on Americans, and he’ll never give up on you.”

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Reed states in the ad that he was held because of his service in the U.S. military. A former Marine, Reed was freed in a prisoner swap in April. A Russian pilot imprisoned for drug smuggling in the US was freed in the prisoner swap.

It’s a good ad. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a political ad made by a former hostage to endorse a politician. This one is powerful because of a military veteran connection between Reed and Pfluger. Pfluger is an Air Force veteran. He earned his commission in 2000. He served in active duty for 20 years as a pilot, reaching the rank of Colonel. During the Trump administration, he served on the U.S. National Security Council. He remained in the Air Force Reserve after retiring from active duty. Pfluger resigned from the NSA to run for the House of Representatives in 2020.

Pfluger handily won the GOP primary in 2020, defeating ten other candidates. Then he went on to beat his Democrat opponent. In his re-election. he does not face a Democrat challenger. “The Democratic Party primary was canceled. No candidates filed for this race.” That is according to Ballotpedia.

The fact that he will win re-election without any challenge at all makes Reed’s endorsement all the more noteworthy. It isn’t necessary for victory on November 8 but Reed is clearly doing it to thank Pfluger for his consistent support while he was held hostage. Pfluger’s first original piece of legislation to pass the House of Representatives was a resolution calling for the immediate release of Reed. On June 29, 2021, Pfluger’s office issued a press release when the resolution was passed.

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“I am incredibly humbled that my first original piece of legislation to pass the House of Representatives is a resolution calling for the immediate release of Trevor Reed of Granbury, a Marine Veteran who is being held as a political prisoner in Russia,” said Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11). “Today’s vote is a clear condemnation of Vladimir Putin and his regime for Trevor’s corrupt conviction and detainment. We will not tolerate an American citizen being used as a political pawn on the global stage, and I will not stop fighting for Trevor until he is safely back on American soil. The Putin regime must immediately release Trevor Reed and reunite him with his loving family.”

When Trevor Reed landed back in the United States at an undisclosed airport, Pfluger was there to welcome him home. He described it as “a joyous moment.”

“It was overwhelming to see the joy on Paula and Joey Reed’s face, to understand just how hard they had worked tirelessly, that they had made every effort possible to bring their son home,” Pfluger told co-host Steve Doocy.

“It’s a good news story in America,” he continued. “President Biden did the right thing here, and to realize a Marine is back on American soil, the country that he loves, was just incredible. It really was a joyous moment.”

“I do believe that it’s something positive to see that there is a line of communication between the United States and Russia,” Pfluger said. “I hope that that can lead… to further releases of people like Paul Whelan, and I think this is a good win for the administration.”

“Let’s continue to get other Americans home,” he continued.

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There are other Americans still held hostage in Russia. I won’t be surprised to find out that Pfluger is doing what he can to help them, too. One hostage imprisoned is WNBA player Brittney Griner, also a Texan. Unfortunately, over the weekend the Kremlin said her release is not a priority.

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