President Joe Biden was questioned by reporters about detained journalist Evan Gershkovich.
Before jumping on Air Force One for his trip to Ireland, a reporter asked Biden, âHave you spoken to Evan Gershkovichâs family?â
Biden replied, âI tried to get them yesterday. We missed calls. I called them yesterday, and we missed calls. Iâm going to try them from the plane.â
When asked again if he is going to try calling them from the plane, Biden said, âYeah. BecauseâŚâ
The reporter clarified, âThatâs Evan Gershkovichâs family?â
Biden confirmed it is the reporterâs family.
The reporter then asked Biden if there is anything he can say about the case.
âWell, you know, weâre making it real clear that itâs totally illegal whatâs happening, and we declared it so. It changes the dynamic,â the president explained.
Watch Bidenâs comments below:
The Wall Street Journal reporter was arrested on the accusation of espionage last month, as IJR reported.
The State Department issued a statement on Gershkovich Monday, saying he is being âwrongfully detained.â
Secretary of State Antony Blinken explained, âJournalism is not a crime. We condemn the Kremlinâs continued repression of independent voices in Russia, and its ongoing war against the truth.â
He added, âThe U.S. government will provide all appropriate support to Mr. Gershkovich and his family. We call for the Russian Federation to immediately release Mr. Gershkovich.â
Emma Tucker, the editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal, updated the newsroom on Gershkovichâs condition in a note, per Fox News.
âEvanâs health is good, and he is grateful for the outpouring of support from around the world,â Tucker wrote.
She continued, âWe continue to call for his immediate release.â
The New York Times noted Gershkovich decided to report in Russia despite the risks that came with the job.
âWe all knew that working in Russia was risky,â Anton Troianovski, The Timesâs Moscow bureau chief, said.
However, he added, âThe journalistic mission was incredibly important.â