Trump appoints lawyer John Coale as special envoy for hostage affairs

WASHINGTON, October 4 /ATSH-Reuters/ – U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he has chosen lawyer John Coale as presidential special envoy for hostage affairs, as Reuters reports.

The news was made known on Sunday, October 4, 2026, through a post by Trump on social media, according to Reuters.

Coale is a former lawyer of Trump’s. He served as deputy special envoy for Ukraine and then as special envoy to Belarus, where he negotiated the release of hundreds of political prisoners, including U.S. citizens — as Reuters reports, Trump himself praised the release of 100 hostages, while aiming for the release of 50 more.

The appointment comes in line with the administration’s strategy, which has linked the release of prisoners with the easing of sanctions, according to Reuters. Coale’s formal nomination was sent to the Senate on September 28, 2026, with the rank and status of ambassador.

Coale’s new task will be to coordinate efforts to bring home American hostages held abroad.