A couple from North Texas desperately wanted to meet with President Joe Biden regarding their son’s imprisonment in Russia. Last week, their wish finally became a reality.
Joey and Paula Reed are the parents of Trevor Reed, a former U.S. Marine who is currently being held in a Russian prison. After the meeting, the couple said they were “very pleased” with how things went and that Biden actively listened to what they had to say.
In 2019, Trevor Reed was sentenced to 9 years in prison after an alleged altercation with Russian police officers. Reed has denied the claims.
When President Biden came to Texas earlier in March, the couple held up signs to get the president’s attention, but he did not have the time to meet. However, he called them later that day.
The Reeds had hoped to consult with President Biden soon after, but that hope began to wane as time went by.
Eventually, the couple decided to switch tactics and traveled to the White House. They held a demonstration on March 31 to raise awareness of their son’s treatment and their desire to discuss his case. Their efforts did not go unnoticed, as they were invited to have a 40-minute meeting with President Biden.
Joey Reed told WFAA that he was shocked by the expedient invitation to meet with the president, as he thought they would only be able to schedule a meeting for some time in the future. Instead, someone from Biden’s administration called and invited him and his wife to the White House within the hour.
“It was not a large group of people, very small,” Joey Reed said to The Dallas Morning News. “It was very personal, warm, caring. He’s just what we expected from President Biden. And we’re extremely thankful. That’s a lot of time in that man’s schedule to hear us out.”
He added that Biden reassured them that his administration was working on the issue but that the Reeds should not “expect too much.” After attending their meeting with President Biden, the pair said they were “cautiously optimistic” but happy with the results.
Along with President Biden, the Reeds also met with Texas Congressmen Michael McCaul and August Pfluger, as well as several officials within the U.S. Department of State.
The Reeds are concerned about Trevor’s health, which they say has deteriorated while in prison. According to his parents, he has been in solitary confinement and may have contracted tuberculosis, as he is coughing up blood daily. Trevor may also have a broken rib.
Joey and Paula Reed additionally stated their son had gone on a hunger strike beginning March 28. Trevor was moved to a medical facility on April 4, but his parents state that he is not receiving adequate medical attention. Since he began his hunger strike, Trevor has lost 7 pounds.
The couple remains hopeful and vows to do everything they can to bring their son home.
“We love you, and we’ve talked to just about everybody we can talk to. We’ve talked to the boss (Biden) now. So, it’s up to our government now to make it happen,” said Trevor’s father.