FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency is working on “zero” the number of American hostages raised overseas.
“My idiosyncratic commitment in this community is to do everything as the FBI director to marshall the resources needed to ensure that other American families don't feel that pain,” Patel said Thursday at a State Department ceremony honoring the hostages and their families.
Patel said the Trump administration is working to bring in Americans from different countries, including Russia and Venezuela. It has been reported.
“We haven't everyone returned yet,” he said. “Whatever the legitimate authorities we have at the FBI, we give you 24/7, 365 days a year to make sure you're putting this number to zero and make sure others don't get into situations that you know too well now.”
Last month, American Mark Vogel was released from Russian detention after the Trump administration signed a contract for Russian citizens who were held in US prisons.
Part of the FBI's responsibility is to handle cases of American citizens and hostages.
Adam Berler, the candidate to become President Trump's State Department-based envoy on hostage issues, also attended the event to lead negotiations with foreign countries.
“When the president asked if there was a job I wanted to focus on, Borler said at the event:
