Calling for the Immediate Release of Trevor Reed

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, 682 days ago, my constituent, Trevor Reed of Granbury, Texas, was thrown into jail by the Russian Government for a crime he did not commit before being convicted in Russian kangaroo court. He is an Eagle Scout, a U.S. marine, and, more importantly, a beloved son and brother, who stands to endure a decade of his life in a Russian prison if we are unable to bring him home.

Trevor was initially detained for public intoxication, but when the Russian Federal Security Service discovered that he was a U.S. marine, they upped the charges and accused him of endangering the lives of police officers. The accusation and the lack of evidence to support it was so ridiculous that even a Russian judge erupted in laughter during his trial.

U.S. Ambassador John Sullivan said justice was not even considered in this case, and described Trevor's trial as a theater of the absurd.

His trial was a sham, and his treatment in the custody of Russian authorities has been nothing short of appalling. He has been denied medical care, counselor access, and has been repeatedly moved without prior or proper notification. Even when he was infected with COVID, the Russians cut off communication with our embassy and with his family. Vladimir Putin himself recently smeared Trevor Reed's name, further underscoring the reality that Trevor's detainment is, in fact, politically motivated.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Michael McCaul for partnering with me to introduce this resolution, and for the support of Chairman Meeks, and for our commitment together in a bipartisan way to stand up for Trevor and the entire Reed family and others who are unlawfully detained.

Mr. Speaker, the passage of this resolution could not be more timely than it is today. In fact, just today, a corrupt Russian appeals court rejected Trevor's final appeal certifying the absurd 9-year sentence.

Our message is simple: The United States will not tolerate an American citizen being held by the Putin regime as a political pawn.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join together and stand firm with Trevor and his family, to reunite Trevor and his family, and to bring him home. Free Trevor Reed.

Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the chairman and Ranking Member McCaul.

Mr. Speaker, the United States must send a strong message to Vladimir Putin that we will not tolerate a U.S. citizen and a marine veteran being held as a political pawn.

I, again, want to recognize those here in the Chamber who have supported this. Ranking Member Michael McCaul from Texas, Mr. Hill from Arkansas, and others for partnering with me on the resolution, that we will not stand for any unlawful detention of any American.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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