An American citizen’s rights and maybe life are in imminent danger from the nation of Jordan. The Biden administration should weigh in with every ounce of diplomatic might to secure a delay of any verdict against him.

One need not be an expert in Jordanian law or on details of the case to nonetheless insist that more due process be granted to Bassem Awadallah. His human rights must be protected. Awadallah stands accused of sedition, although by American standards, the allegations wouldn’t seem to fit that definition. Either way, his family, which is represented by former U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives chief Mike Sullivan and former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, alleges that Awadallah has been denied direct legal representation and subjected to heinous torture. A verdict reportedly is scheduled to be issued on Monday, July 12.