Reactions are pouring in from the presidential candidates this morning to the U.S.-Iran prisoner swap that secured the release of four Americans, including a Marine veteran and a Washington Post reporter.
Bernie Sanders tweeted out this reaction:
This good news shows that diplomacy can work even in this volatile region of the world. https://t.co/UxX2DUYCDZ
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 16, 2016
The reactions from Republicans have been a little different. As Mediaite reported earlier, Marco Rubio reacted by saying the Obama administration’s willingness to conduct prisoner swaps gives other nations incentive to hold American citizens hostage.
During a campaign event in New Hampshire this afternoon, Donald Trump said he wanted to withhold judgment because he wants to know what Iran got. He did say “it doesn’t sound too good,” while still praising their release.
Ted Cruz also acknowledged potential “problematic aspects to this deal,” but he put more emphasis on how grateful he is for the safe return of American citizens. He said, “I am giving thanks that Pastor Saaed [Abedini] is coming home. It is far later than it should have been, but we will be glad to welcome him home with open arms.”
You can watch Trump and Cruz’s reactions here, via CNN:
And more candidates are now weighing in:
Chris Christie weighs in on Iran prisoner swap in interview in Iowa pic.twitter.com/xnMcM1aomM
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) January 16, 2016
.@RandPaul to @daveweigel on #Iran prisoner swap: "I'm hopeful that this means Iran is going to begin behaving in a more civilized fashion."
— Ed O'Keefe (@edatpost) January 16, 2016
Statement from Ben Carson on Iranian hostage release pic.twitter.com/aicw2Wkbas
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) January 16, 2016
Praise God! Christian pastor Saeed Abedini is free from his 8-year prison sentence for spreading the Gospel & planting churches in Iran!
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) January 16, 2016
I join millions of Americans and his overjoyed wife Naghmeh in saying, 'Well done Saeed! You are a faithful servant and welcome home!’
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) January 16, 2016
It’s embarrassing John Kerry & Obama negotiate with Iran as innocent Americans still remain locked-up in prison.
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) January 16, 2016
We will update this post with more candidate reactions as they come in.
[image via screengrab]
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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac
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