An administration official told CBN News that President Trump was the first to bring it up, followed by Vice President Mike Pence.

The official says President Trump then brought up Brunson a third time.

"They went to bat for the pastor," the official told CBN News.

Brunson was swept up in a terrorism investigation last fall but was never formally charged.

"Unfortunately, Pastor Andrew Brunson is now a pawn, kind of a trump card in Erdogan's hand. There's absolutely no rule of law, no due process in that case, it's a completely bogus case. Anyone who has looked at the case knows that these are trumped up charges," said Dr. Aykan Erdemir, a former member of Turkey's Parliament who has advocated for the release of Pastor Brunson for months.

The official couldn't comment on how President Erdogan responded to Trump and Pence's questions.

The White House issued this readout of the meeting:

President Donald J. Trump met [yesterday] with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey to discuss how to further strengthen the deep and diverse relationship between our two countries. President Trump reiterated the commitment of the United States to the security of our NATO ally Turkey and the need to work together to confront terrorism in all its forms. President Trump raised the incarceration of Pastor Andrew Brunson and asked that the Turkish Government expeditiously return him to the United States. President Trump told President Erdogan that he looks forward to seeing him next week during his upcoming international travel.

Christian leaders are applauding Trump for defending the imprisoned pastor.

Dr. James Dobson issued a statement calling President Trump and Vice President Pence "defenders of the Church."

"President Trump and Vice President Pence have yet again demonstrated that they are 'defenders of the Church' focused intently upon religious liberty here but also on religious liberty abroad," he said. "Of the countless issues facing our world, it's clear that to this White House the well-being of any individual American rests at the top of the list of priorities and especially when that American is a prisoner of conscience."

Dobson also called on the global Church to continue praying for Brunson's release.

Dr. Ronnie Floyd, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, made similar remarks.

"I've spent my entire life as a pastor, and I've travelled throughout the world encouraging those whose faith leads them to service abroad. No American pastor should fear imprisonment at the hands of an American ally," Floyd said.

"I thank God we have an administration that cherishes the freedom of religion as our founders hoped we would," he continued. "I join with millions of others in prayer for the swift release of Pastor Brunson from his Turkish prison."

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Memorial Day 2023: Everything You Need to Know About the Day of Remembrance

Sadie Robertson Huff Welcomes Second Baby: 'Life Got a Whole Lot Sweeter'

Franklin Graham Challenges Religious Broadcasters: 'The Storm Is Coming; Don't Apologize for the Gospel—Just Declare It, Just Preach It'

Senate Democrats Introduce Bill to Give Federal Government Massive Power over Online Platforms

Exposed: Doctors Paid Massive Bonuses to Push Experimental Jabs on Children

Black Lives Matter Close to Insolvency as Execs Take Home Six to Seven Figure Paychecks

'Start Pushing Back': Lawmakers Slam LGBTQ+ 'Youth Carnival' That Bars Parents

2 Youths Commit Suicide in Taxpayer-Funded Trans-Hormone Experiment; Lawmakers Demand Answers

Target Moves LGBT Displays after Conservative Boycott but Will Still 'Celebrate Pride Month'

Discovered: Place Where Jesus Was Judged by Pontius Pilate

'My Daughter Would Still Be Alive': Mom Testifies About MS-13 Gang Member's Catch-and-Release

Jim Caviezel Blows Lid Off Child Trafficking, Epstein Island, Hollywood in Steve Bannon Interview on New Movie

'Bud-Light Effect': Target Stock Sinks Nearly 10 Percent amid Pride Backlash

College Students Sue Professor Who Forced Students to Fund Left-Wing Political Group

'Black Marxist' Professor Fired after Vandalizing Pro-Life Display, Chasing Reporter with Machete

Why Do Leftists Get a Pass on Their Racism Toward Tim Scott, and Other Black Republicans?

Governor Ron DeSantis Formally Announces Presidential Run In Twitter Spaces Interview With Elon Musk

God's Amazing Grace: a Father Adopts the Young Man Who Murdered His Son

Appeals Court Returns Counterfeit Ballot Case to Lower Court; VoterGA Seeks Recusal to Prevent Obstruction of Ballot Inspection

Largely Unnoticed, WHO Moves Forward with Global Governance Plan that Rivals a George Orwell Novel