Reuters reports that former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau intervened to fast-track a U.S. visa for Zbigniew Ziobro, citing national security concerns while the politician faced Polish criminal charges.
The Intervention in Washington
Reuters established that U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau learned of Zbigniew Ziobro’s case in early spring from then-U.S. Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose. Landau concluded that the politician was being unfairly targeted by the Polish justice system.
Landau instructed the consular department in Washington to direct the U.S. Embassy in Budapest to issue a visa to Ziobro. Three sources familiar with the matter indicated that Ziobro received a journalist visa, which aligns with his stated plans to work as a correspondent for TV Republika.
National Security Justification
According to one source, Landau cited national security considerations to justify the urgency of the request, allowing Ziobro to obtain the visa before the inauguration of Peter Magyar’s government. Sources stated they had no knowledge of any involvement by President Trump or Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Landau declined to comment on the matter, while the State Department cited standard visa confidentiality policies.
Polish Authorities Seek Answers
Prosecutor Przemysław Nowak announced last week that investigators are seeking information from the U.S. Embassy regarding the type and basis of visas issued to Zbigniew Ziobro and Marcin Romanowski. Authorities are also attempting to locate the suspects.
The prosecutor noted that Ziobro’s ordinary and diplomatic passports were invalidated last December, suggesting potential irregularities in how the suspect crossed borders. Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki stated that the U.S. is preparing a response to a formal inquiry regarding how the former Justice Minister entered the United States.
Legal Standing and Flight
On November 7, 2025, the Sejm revoked Ziobro’s immunity, authorizing his arrest regarding 26 charges linked to the Justice Fund. The National Prosecutor’s Office issued an order for his detention, which failed as the former minister had already left Poland.
Ziobro initially sought refuge in Hungary under Viktor Orbán. However, new Prime Minister Peter Magyar, inaugurated last Saturday, previously stated during his campaign that he would facilitate the extradition of any PiS politicians hiding in Hungary should his party win the election.