Complaints from media critics of the Trump administration prompted a leading hostage rights group to withdraw its historic “Freedom Award” to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for his, and President Trump’s, successful efforts to free political prisoners around the world.
The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, named for the journalist beheaded in 2014 by ISIS forces, had announced that at its dinner Tuesday night at the National Press Club Pompeo would receive the “2019 Foley American Hostage Freedom Award.”
The award was to recognize Pompeo and the administration’s focus on freeing Americans held prisoners around the world, a campaign that has topped the president’s foreign policy agenda and inspired the appointment of a “special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.”
The group even posted its decision online in its invitation for supporters to pay up to $50,000 a table to attend the awards banquet.
But soon after it was announced, the foundation withdrew it. What’s more, they also disinvited Pompeo from the event due to protests from angered media members who threatened to disrupt the event.
Instead, the foundation gave Pompeo’s award to Brett McGurk, the Obama-era diplomat who helped win the release of Americans from Iran, including journalist Jason Rezaian. Rezaian received the group’s journalism award.
Knowledgeable sources said the group’s “media partners” promised to boycott the event if Pompeo got the award, apparently distressed over giving the administration any credit.
Those sources added that keynote speaker Christiane Amanpour was concerned about Pompeo getting the award.
CNN referred questions about the deliberations over Pompeo to the foundation, which refused to discuss them.
In a diplomatic letter to Diane Foley, Foley’s mother and the foundation’s president and founder who had personally told Pompeo of the award in her own note, the secretary called the media pressure sad and cynical.
“I was truly honored to have been selected to receive the 2019 Foley American Hostage Freedom Award,” he penned. “Jim’s life and his legacy inspire me in my work.”
After listing the high number of political prisoner releases under the Trump administration, he ripped the media politics meant to rob the administration of any credit.
“I understand that the Foundation decided to rescind the Freedom Award and my invitation to attend the 2019 James W. Foley Freedom Awards due to pressure from its media partners and your fear, stated in your letter, that some guests at the dinner would not show my office proper respect if I attended,” wrote Pompeo.
“How sad is it that base politics and hatred have been allowed to creep into even this sphere of our national activity? The safe recovery of Americans held hostage overseas should be beyond politics and must enjoy the support of all Americans. I regret that pressure of such a cynical and abominable nature was brought to bear on you and John,” he added in a reference also to James Foley’s father.
Still, despite his disappointment, Pompeo said that “the ignoble conduct of those behind this sad deed will never diminish my commitment, of the commitment of the men and women I lead, to the safe recovery of all Americans unjustly held abroad.”
Asked for comment, the foundation’s Executive Director Margaux Ewen praised Pompeo but refused to address why it yanked his award and invitation.
“We thank Secretary Pompeo for his extraordinary efforts to bring Americans home and are grateful for all that he and this administration have accomplished to prioritize the return of our citizens,” said the statement to Secrets.
To many administration officials, the award made tremendous sense since the White House and State have worked overtime on hostage issues. Trump, for example, receives weekly updates on those kept prisoner.
In his letter, Pompeo noted all the releases his team has won, adding, “This work has been accomplished without the concessions that only encourage more hostage taking by the kidnappers and terrorists.”
To show its support for hostages and their families, in fact, Pompeo hosted many past hostages and their families at State on Tuesday hours before the dinner.
“I want you all to have a personal relationship with us and get to know our hearts and our mission, the mission that we carry forward on behalf of your loved ones each and every day,” said Pompeo.
He also urged them to look past those critical of the pace of success. “Please, too, don’t be discouraged by propaganda from our enemies. They want to divide us. They want to distract us from our mission to rescue your loved ones. Know that we are not distracted. I’d urge you to help us, be with us, and stay the course,” said Pompeo.
