Wilkins calls on Biden to bring detained journalists home

Eden Harris

February 12, 2024

President Biden sent a note to Emily Wilkins congratulating her on becoming the 117th National Press Club president. But at her Feb. 9 inaugural gala, Wilkins said that wasn’t enough and pressed him for action to secure the release of unjustly imprisoned journalists.

“And to President Biden: Thank you for the really lovely letter tonight, but I need more than a scrap of paper here,” Wilkins said in her inaugural address to a standing ovation. “I know it’s an election year, but some things are bigger than politics. On behalf of the Press Club, I call on you to bring all three detained American reporters home this year."

Photo of National Press Club President Emily Wilkins making her inaugural speech

One reporter is Evan Gershkovich of The Wall Street Journal, whom Russia has detained since March 2023. Secondly, Alsu Kurmasheva, a mother and Radio Free Europe editor, has been detained since Oct. 2023 in Russia. The State Department has yet to classify her as wrongfully imprisoned.

The third journalist Wilkins highlighted was Austin Tice – the longest-detained U.S. journalist on record, who was taken in Damascus, Syria, on Aug 14, 2012.

"We will fight alongside with you for as long as we can,” Wilkins said. “So please take that Austin Tice pin that's on your table tonight. Take it out of the plastic and put it on. Wear it whenever you can. Talk to people about Austin and tweet about it. Be a part of our events that bring awareness.”

Wilkins will follow in the footsteps of immediate past president Eileen O'Reilly, who helped lead a read-a-thon for Gershkovich last July. O’Reilly mentioned that effort in her remarks at the gala, noting that it involved reporters from around the world participating over a 24-hour period.

Wilkins took the oath of office from Susan Goldberg, president and CEO of GBH, the foremost provider of PBS content for both television and online platforms.

Goldberg revealed that Wilkins wanted to be an "actress" and attend college in Los Angeles with a goal of making it big on the screen. But Wilkins made the mistake of telling her father about this dream.

"'You need to find a more stable career choice, her father said, so she became a journalist,'" Goldberg said. The irony didn't fall flat, with laughter ensuing from journalists and attendees. Layoffs in journalism have been particularly aggressive so far this year.

Photo of National Press Club President Emily Wilkins being sworn in

"In just a few moments, Emily Wilkins will become the Press Club's 117th president, taking on this messy stew of challenges and opportunities," Goldberg said.

Goldberg said she's never worked with Wilkins in the same newsroom, and 30 years divide them, but they share similarities such as being "endlessly curious" and having the propensity to "shine a light into dark corners."

One goal for Wilkins, Goldberg said, is to "deepen" membership at the Club, with the belief that "we are all stronger when we work together."

Wilkins thanked outgoing president O'Reilly for working toward diversity issues at the Club, who "ensured everyone felt welcomed."

Dan Colarusso, senior vice president of CNBC, where Wilkins is a Washington correspondent, praised Wilkins' talent, saying he is happy she joined their team and offering his support as she takes on a year-long demanding Club presidency.

Wilkins' voice cracked, and tears filled her eyes as she thanked her family, who she says believed in her and supported her on her journey. Additionally, she thanked her fiancé, John Sanders, for his patience and caring nature toward her.

Photos

Photo Credit: Noël-Marie Fletcher Attendees crowded the Ballroom during the Inauguration of Emily Wilkins as 117th President of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2024.

Photo Credit: Noël-Marie Fletcher Guests gather before the Inauguration of Emily Wilkins as 117th President of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2024.

Photo Credit: Noël-Marie Fletcher Emily Wilkins (center) gathers with her family after her inauguration as 117th President of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2024. Left: Brother Andrew Wilkins, sister Caitlin Wilkins, father Marc Wilkins, Emily Wilkins, Emily’s fiancé John Sanders, her mother Roberta Wilkins and Andrew’s fiancé.

Photo Credit: Noël-Marie Fletcher Wearing a “First Gentleman” ribbon, John Sanders (the fiancé of Emily Wilkins) speaks before her Inauguration as 117th President of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2024.

Photo Credit: Noël-Marie Fletcher Dan Colarusso, senior vice president of CNBC Business News, shares how impressed he was when hiring Emily Wilkins in an address before she was inaugurated as the 117th President of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2024.

Photo Credit: Noël-Marie Fletcher Emily Wilkins, right, stands next to her fiancé John Sanders as she is sworn in as the 117th President of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2024.

Photo Credit: Noël-Marie Fletcher Emily Wilkins, right, listens to past 116th NPC President Eileen O’Reilly of Axios prior to a toast during the inauguration ceremony of Wilkins as 117th President of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2024.

Photo Credit: Noël-Marie Fletcher Emily Wilkins, right, raises a glass with past NPC 116th President Eileen O’Reilly of Axios during the inauguration ceremony of Wilkins as 117th President of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2024.

Photo Credit: Noël-Marie Fletcher Emily Wilkins, right, toasts the audience as does past NPC 116th President Eileen O’Reilly of Axios during the inauguration ceremony of Wilkins as 117th President of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2024.

Photo Credit: Noël-Marie Fletcher Emily Wilkins grins broadly during her inaugural address as the new 117th President of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2024.

Photo Credit: Noël-Marie Fletcher Emily Wilkins describes her goals during her new term as the new 117th President of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2024.

Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Left: John Sanders, fiancé of Emily Wilkins, holds the book “Master of the Senate” by Robert Caro upon which Susan Goldberg (right), president and CEO of GHB, administered the Oath of Office to Emily Wilkins (middle) as the new 117th President of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2024.

Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Left: Emily Wilkins extends her hand past her fiancé John Sanders to Susan Goldberg, president and CEO of GHB, after being sworn in as the new 117th President of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2024.

Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Emily Wilkins, right, stands next to her fiancé John Sanders as she takes the Oath of Office as the 117th President of the National Press Club, which was being administered by Susan Goldberg (right), president and CEO of GHB, in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2024.

Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Susan Goldberg, president and CEO of GHB, addresses the audience during the inauguration ceremony of Wilkins as 117th President of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2024.