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 Newsâ Peter Doocy suggested during a press briefing on Thursday that Russia got âsuch a better deal.â
âThey gave up a professional athlete, we gave up a prolific arms dealer, who was convicted of trying to kill Americans, who is called âThe Merchant of Death,'â he said.
Jean-Pierre shot back, âThe professional athlete is also an American citizen, so letâs not forget that.â
âAgain, 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,â she continued.
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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 Newsâ Michael Weiss noted Bout was âonce the most wanted international criminal after Osama bin Laden (whom he very likely armed).â
âA former GRU officer, there was hardly a war in the 90s he didnât pour guns and weapons into,â Weiss added.
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 ânot forgotten about Paul Whelan, who has been unjustly detained in Russia for years.â
He added, âWeâll keep negotiating in good faith for Paulâs release. I guarantee that. I say that to the family.â
At an earlier point in Thursdayâs press briefing, Jean-Pierre told reporters, âUnfortunately, the choice became to either bring Brittney home or no one.
âOn 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,â she added.