White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is facing questions about the prisoner exchange deal to bring WNBA star Brittney Griner back from Russia.
Fox News’ Peter Doocy suggested during a press briefing on Thursday that Russia got “such a better deal.”
“They gave up a professional athlete, we gave up a prolific arms dealer, who was convicted of trying to kill Americans, who is called ‘The Merchant of Death,'” he said.
Jean-Pierre shot back, “The professional athlete is also an American citizen, so let’s not forget that.”
“Again, the president felt that this was an opportunity to bring Brittney home. He is going to continue to do everything he can to bring Paul Whelan home,” she continued.
Watch the video below:
Fox News’ Peter Doocy: “In this [Brittney Griner] prisoner swap, why did Russia get such a better deal? … They gave up a professional athlete, we gave up a prolific arms dealer.”
— The Recount (@therecount) December 8, 2022
WH Press Sec. Karine Jean-Pierre: “The professional athlete is also an American citizen.” pic.twitter.com/HLF3dcG6Gm
It was revealed on Thursday morning that Griner would be heading back to the U.S. 10 months after being detained in Russia on drug charges as part of a prisoner swap.
The U.S. agreed to swap Viktor Bout, an arms dealer who was convicted of conspiring to kill Americans in 2011, in exchange for Griner.
Yahoo News’ Michael Weiss noted Bout was “once the most wanted international criminal after Osama bin Laden (whom he very likely armed).”
“A former GRU officer, there was hardly a war in the 90s he didn’t pour guns and weapons into,” Weiss added.
Bout was once the most wanted international criminal after Osama bin Laden (whom he very likely armed). A former GRU officer, there was hardly a war in the 90s he didn’t pour guns and weapons into: https://t.co/igk8yyKdjB https://t.co/a2tf7P04Lz
— Michael Weiss (@michaeldweiss) December 8, 2022
Some noted after the news of the swap that retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan has been detained in Russia since 2018 on charges of spying. President Joe Biden said on Thursday the U.S. has “not forgotten about Paul Whelan, who has been unjustly detained in Russia for years.”
He added, “We’ll keep negotiating in good faith for Paul’s release. I guarantee that. I say that to the family.”
At an earlier point in Thursday’s press briefing, Jean-Pierre told reporters, “Unfortunately, the choice became to either bring Brittney home or no one.
KJP: "The choice was bring Brittney home or no one. The president will never stop working to secure Paul Whelan's release. On a personal note, Brittney is an important role model, an inspiration to millions of Americans particularly the LGBTQI+ Americans and women of color" pic.twitter.com/ClbGi6ysbq
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 8, 2022
“On a personal note, Brittney is more than an athlete, more than an Olympian. She is an important role model, an inspiration to millions of Americans particularly the LGBTQI+ Americans and women of color,” she added.
