In an incredible turn of events, Trump does something Obama never could. He gets an American aide worker released from Cairo. In three years President Obama was never able to do this. So how did President Trump do it? Through a change in tactics and quiet negotiations.
On Thursday night the worker, Aya Hijazi, flew home with her husband on a U.S. aircraft. The following morning Aya went straight to the Oval Office to personally thank President Trump herself.
American Aide Worker Aya Hijazi is Home
Hijazi's return was downplayed by the White House. This is because the Egyptians are a very humble people and they did not want to embarrass them. Even though Aya was at the White House on Friday, there was no ceremony or special event held for her. There was simply a flash of cameras in the Oval Office, before the press was whisked away. Secretary Spicer made minimal comments about it when he briefed the press later on.
In a very different move than anything we have seen over the past 8 years, President Trump invited Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi. What's even more impressive about this move is that it happened within the first 100 days of his presidency. Many view President Trump as having a very pushy and blunt style, but this tactic shows that it his approach is very different and can be catered to the situation. President Trump was very concerned about rehabilitating the relationship between the two countries.
Here are some of the comments about the situation, per the New York Times:
“We are very happy to have Aya back home and it’s a great honor to have her in the Oval Office,” Mr. Trump said during a brief photo opportunity less than 24 hours after a government plane landed with her at an Air Force base outside of Washington.
“We’re just pleased that she’s back home,” Mr. Spicer said. “The president and the team successfully worked to have her brought home.”
“The national security team, in particular, was working through diplomatic channels to folks in the el-Sisi government,” Mr. Spicer said. “Most of this was directly tied to his staff and his actions.”
Trump Does Something Obama Never Could
Great job by President Trump and his team when it comes to getting Aya home. Also, instead of accepting all of the praise, they are deflecting it and celebrating what is important: Aya Hijazi is home.
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