President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence warned Thursday that the U.S. would impose sanctions on Turkey if an American pastor remains detained on terror and espionage charges.

"The United States will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment of Pastor Andrew Brunson, a great Christian, family man and wonderful human being," Trump tweeted Thursday. "He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately!"



The United States will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment of Pastor Andrew Brunson, a great Christian, family man and wonderful human being. He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2018

Less than an hour earlier, Pence declared that “the United States of America will impose severe economic sanctions on Turkey” in the event that Turkey does not promptly release Brunson. He made the declaration at a religious freedom summit taking place at the State Department called the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom.

Brunson, a 50-year-old evangelical Christian pastor from North Carolina, was detained in 2016 after he was blamed for assisting rebels in a coup. He has denied charges that say he engaged in espionage and collusion with terrorist organizations.

Earlier this week, he was released from prison and is currently on house arrest due to “health problems,” Turkey's official Anadolu news agency reported.

Pence tweeted Wednesday evening that he had told Brunson the U.S. would continue fighting for his release.

“Spoke by phone w/ Pastor Andrew Brunson after his release from prison in Turkey. While out of prison, this man of faith is still under house arrest. Assured him @POTUS & our entire Admin will keep working to secure his full release & get him back to the USA #FreePastorBrunson,” Pence said.



Spoke by phone w/ Pastor Andrew Brunson after his release from prison in Turkey. While out of prison, this man of faith is still under house arrest. Assured him @POTUS & our entire Admin will keep working to secure his full release & get him back to the USA #FreePastorBrunson — Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) July 26, 2018



"A total disgrace that Turkey will not release a respected U.S. Pastor, Andrew Brunson, from prison. He has been held hostage far too long," Trump also tweeted last week. "[Erdogan] should do something to free this wonderful Christian husband & father. He has done nothing wrong, and his family needs him!"



A total disgrace that Turkey will not release a respected U.S. Pastor, Andrew Brunson, from prison. He has been held hostage far too long. @RT_Erdogan should do something to free this wonderful Christian husband & father. He has done nothing wrong, and his family needs him! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2018



A group of senators introduced a piece of legislation last week that would impose sanctions on Turkey until “the unjust detention” of more than 20 U.S. citizens is ended. If passed, the U.S. executive at the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development would be required to deny loans to Turkey.