Hungarian PM Orban Defends Cabinet Chief Sanctioned by US
Orban asserts that US sanctions on his key aide Antal Rogan have only strengthened his position as head of national security.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban defended his cabinet chief, Antal Rogan, on state radio following the imposition of U.S. sanctions earlier this month.
Rogan, who oversees Hungary's national security services, was sanctioned by the outgoing U.S. administration for alleged corruption.
In his first public comments on the matter, Orban dismissed the sanctions, calling them 'the last, petty revenge' of the outgoing American ambassador.
Orban stated that Rogan’s actions in protecting Hungarian national sovereignty warranted such a response, suggesting that the sanctions reinforced his position.
The Hungarian government has long maintained that Rogan is a key figure in safeguarding the country’s national security, with Orban emphasizing that U.S. punishment for his actions signifies their success in doing their jobs.
This comment aligns with Orban’s nationalist stance and longstanding criticism of external influence on Hungarian sovereignty.
Orban, a vocal supporter of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, expressed optimism about a 'golden era' for U.S.-Hungarian relations under the new administration.
However, Orban faces domestic challenges, including a rising opposition party and economic concerns ahead of the 2026 elections.
In response to these challenges, Orban vowed to counter 'foreign networks' he believes threaten Hungary’s sovereignty, with particular focus on Hungarian-born U.S. financier George Soros and his liberal views.
For years, Soros and his Open Society Foundations have been targets of Orban’s government.
In 2017, Hungary passed legislation tightening regulations on foreign-funded NGOs, a move seen as aimed at Soros’s organizations.
The following year, Central European University, founded by Soros, moved the majority of its courses out of Hungary after clashes with Orban’s government.
Rogan, who oversees Hungary's national security services, was sanctioned by the outgoing U.S. administration for alleged corruption.
In his first public comments on the matter, Orban dismissed the sanctions, calling them 'the last, petty revenge' of the outgoing American ambassador.
Orban stated that Rogan’s actions in protecting Hungarian national sovereignty warranted such a response, suggesting that the sanctions reinforced his position.
The Hungarian government has long maintained that Rogan is a key figure in safeguarding the country’s national security, with Orban emphasizing that U.S. punishment for his actions signifies their success in doing their jobs.
This comment aligns with Orban’s nationalist stance and longstanding criticism of external influence on Hungarian sovereignty.
Orban, a vocal supporter of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, expressed optimism about a 'golden era' for U.S.-Hungarian relations under the new administration.
However, Orban faces domestic challenges, including a rising opposition party and economic concerns ahead of the 2026 elections.
In response to these challenges, Orban vowed to counter 'foreign networks' he believes threaten Hungary’s sovereignty, with particular focus on Hungarian-born U.S. financier George Soros and his liberal views.
For years, Soros and his Open Society Foundations have been targets of Orban’s government.
In 2017, Hungary passed legislation tightening regulations on foreign-funded NGOs, a move seen as aimed at Soros’s organizations.
The following year, Central European University, founded by Soros, moved the majority of its courses out of Hungary after clashes with Orban’s government.
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