US Sanctions Hungary’s Antal Rogán for Corruption, Drawing Fire from Budapest

The United States has imposed sanctions on Antal Rogán, a senior Hungarian government minister and close aide to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, accusing him of corruption. The move has triggered sharp criticism from Hungary’s government, which has vowed to challenge the decision after Donald Trump takes office.

The U.S. Treasury Department has alleged that Rogán exploited his influential position for personal gain while advancing the interests of political allies. U.S. Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman labeled Rogán as a central figure in systemic corruption, stating, “Those closely connected to the ruling political party have acquired massive empires of holdings.” Pressman further described Rogán as a “primary architect, implementer, and beneficiary” of Hungary’s entrenched corruption system.

The sanctions were enacted under the Global Magnitsky Act, a U.S. law targeting corruption and human rights abuses worldwide. The measures ban Rogán from entering the United States, freeze any assets he may have under U.S. jurisdiction, and prohibit American businesses from engaging in any transactions with him.

Rogán, often referred to as Hungary’s “propaganda minister,” plays a pivotal role in overseeing Prime Minister Orbán’s media operations, election strategies, and intelligence services. His contributions have been instrumental in ensuring Orbán’s four consecutive terms in office. According to the U.S. Treasury, Rogán has controlled key sectors of Hungary’s economy, using his influence to channel financial benefits to himself and his loyalists.

Relations between Hungary and the United States have worsened under President Joe Biden’s administration, in part due to Hungary’s close ties to Moscow amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Hungary was ranked as the European Union’s most corrupt nation by Transparency International in 2023. Additionally, the EU recently suspended over €1 billion in aid to Hungary, citing the country’s failure to address corruption effectively.

“Corruption undermines governing institutions, stifles economic growth, and benefits a few at the expense of future generations,” said Bradley T. Smith, acting U.S. undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, in defense of the sanctions.

Hungarian officials, however, have strongly pushed back. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó dismissed the sanctions as a politically motivated attack, describing them as a “personal act of revenge” by Ambassador Pressman. Szijjártó expressed optimism about improved relations with the U.S. under the incoming Trump administration, writing on Facebook, “How fortunate that in just a few days, the United States will be led by people who see our country as a friend rather than an enemy.”

Prime Minister Orbán also signaled plans to respond to the sanctions once the new U.S. government is in place. In a statement, Orbán said, “After January 20, the United States of America will have a new government and a new president. After their inauguration, we will take the necessary legal steps.”

By fLEXI tEAM