Former President Donald Trump promised to do “everything he can” to “save” the imprisoned Catholic activist Jimmy Lai, ensuring that “we will see what we can do” to help the veteran human rights defender, who has been in prison for years.
Trump made these statements in a Radial interview with Fox News This week, stating that “the issue has already raised” in government circles.
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The promise comes while Lai, imprisoned by the authorities of the Chinese Communist Party since 2020, is approaching at the end of a prolonged trial for National Security in Hong Kong.
The final allegations of the process were postponed several times in recent days due to bad weather and medical concerns about Lai, 77, who has suffered heart problems in prison.
Lai, veteran activist for freedom of expression and human rights, became Catholicism in 1997 and has spoken publicly on several occasions about his faith. He was first arrested in August 2020, accused under the then newly promulgated Chinese National Security Law.
Since then, the Government has imposed several additional convictions for charges related to illegal assemblies and fraud. After years of delays, his national security judgment began in December 2023.
Lai supporters consider that the result of the process is practically determined. Fr. Robert Sirico, Catholic priest and founder of the Acton Institute in Michigan, He said to CNA – Ewtn News Advancement – at the beginning of the trial that had little hope that the Chinese regime would be released.
“When was the last time a totalitarian government submitted someone to a judicial process and let him out innocent?”
This week, in an essay published in The Free Pressthe priest reiterated those concerns and described the trial as totally “under Chinese control.”
“There is no jury. The three judges were selected directly by the chief executive of Hong Kong, who is under the control of the PCCH. These judges have Lai’s fate in their hands,” he wrote.
The case has generated international support. In 2023, an US Congress commission asked to sanction Hong Kong prosecutors and judges if they did not release the activist. That same year, a coalition of human rights organizations made a global call for their liberation, while Catholic leaders around the world also demanded the same.
Earlier this year, Lai received the Bradley Prize as “inspiration for all who value freedom.” In 2024, the Catholic University of America exhibited its artistic works on its campus. In addition, a bill in the US Congress proposes to rename a Washington DC street like “Jimmy Lai way”.
It is not clear to what extent the US government can intervene in its favor. Before his re -election last year, Trump had promised to get Lai in prison, although this week he seemed to clarify his words.
“I didn’t say that 100% would save it. I said that 100% was going to raise it,” Fox Radio driver, told Brian Kilmeade.
Even so, he added: “(The name of Lai) is already at the table of topics we are discussing.” Trump also praised Sebastien, son of Jimmy, for his struggle to free his father.
The Sirico, on the other hand, wrote that Lai in his prolonged captivity “reminds us of what it means to live without fear. Speaking without asking permission. Suffer for the truth.”
“In other words, it reminds us of what it means to be free,” concluded the priest.
Translated and adapted by ACI Press. Originally published in CNA.
Daniel Payne
Daniel Payne is a senior editor of Catholic News Agency. He previously worked at College Fix and Just the News. He lives in Virginia with his family.