Trump official helped secure US visa for fugitive Polish minister
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau facilitated a visa for former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who is facing multiple criminal charges in Poland. Ziobro, who has denied wrongdoing, was granted asylum in Hungary before fleeing to the United States. This intervention by the Trump administration raises questions about U.S. support for European conservatives amid ongoing legal controversies.
- ▪Christopher Landau instructed State Department officials to issue a visa for Zbigniew Ziobro, a fugitive former Polish minister.
- ▪Ziobro faces 26 charges in Poland, primarily for alleged misuse of funds.
- ▪The Trump administration has prioritized support for conservative politicians in Europe.
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Trump official helped secure US visa for fugitive Polish ministerSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 19, 2026, 03:53 AMUpdated May 19, 2026, 03:53 AMListenWASHINGTON, May 18 - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau instructed senior State Department officials to facilitate and approve a visa for a fugitive former Polish cabinet minister, allowing him to flee to the United States from Hungary, three people familiar with the matter said.Poland is seeking to prosecute former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, the architect of changes to the Polish judicial system that the EU has said undermined the rule of law during the 2015-2023 rule of the conservative Law and Justice party (PiS).He faces 26 charges stemming mainly from his alleged misuse of…
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