Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. warned the Trump administration should not let North Korea’s release of three U.S detainees be used as a bargaining chip in upcoming talks between the two nations, the Washington Examiner is reporting.
Schumer made his remarks on the Senate floor on Wednesday, according to the Examiner.
"We cannot forget: No regime has the right to hold American citizens in captivity without cause, and under no circumstances should American citizens be viewed as bargaining chips," Schumer said.
"If countries in the world think they can detain Americans and get something in return, we'll see many more hostages."
Schumer said he was "rooting for" the success of U.S. talks with North Korea. But he added that "the hostages shouldn't be part of it.," the Examiner noted.
President Donald Trump had announced on Wednesday the three detainees, held for over a year in North Korea, were on their way back to the U.S. with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
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