Over the summer, the Biden administration said it proposed a prisoner swap involving both Griner and businessman Paul Whelan, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage charges despite claims of innocence, but officials refused to disclose who would be released if a deal was made.
According to Biden, it was “not a choice of which American to bring home,” and Russia was treating Whelan, a Marine veteran, differently for “totally illegitimate reasons.”
Benny Johnson took to social media to remind us of who the two detainees are.
“Meet Brittney Griner & Marine Paul Whelan.
Both Americans.
Both were convicted in Russian courts on dubious charges.
VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELBoth serving multi-year sentences in Russian prison.
Brittney hates America
Paul served America
Guess which one Biden traded a terrorist to free?
Semper fi Paul”
Meet Brittney Griner & Marine Paul Whelan.
Both Americans.
Both were convicted in Russian courts on dubious charges.
Both serving multi-year sentences in Russian prison.
Brittney hates America
Paul served AmericaGuess which one Biden traded a terrorist to free?
Semper fi Paul pic.twitter.com/tuP1R6AZpf
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 8, 2022
Biden stated that his administration would continue to work to secure the veteran’s release. I don’t believe they will. I think it’s more politically advantageous for them to bring back a woke piece of garbage who has openly stated hatred for America than a marine veteran who served this country for decades. That’s how this administration rolls.
Both Griner and Whelan were wrongfully held, according to US authorities.
For the exchange, the Biden herd gave up Russian arms dealer, Viktor Bout.
WATCH:
In a statement, Paul Whelan’s brother, David Whelan, told news outlets that government officials notified them on Wednesday that Whelan would not be released.
“That early warning meant that our family has been able to mentally prepare for what is now a public disappointment for us. And a catastrophe for Paul,” he added.
“There is no greater success than for a wrongful detainee to be freed and for them to go home. The Biden Admin made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home and to make the deal that was possible,” the Whelan family said in a another statement.
Other American citizens imprisoned in Russia include Marc Fogel, who, like Griner, was caught with cannabis in his luggage. Another American, Trevor Reed, was swapped for Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko earlier this year.
Biden, Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Griner when he returned to the United States.
Griner first landed in the United Arab Emirates, where Biden thanked officials for their assistance with the transit.
Griner expressed her concern to Biden in a handwritten letter in July, saying she was “terrified I might be here forever.” She added, “I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees.”
During the ordeal, Biden and Harris spoke with Cherelle Griner.
“I was grateful for the call. He says she’s top priority, but I want to see it,” Cherelle Griner remarked at the time. “At this point, I don’t even know who I’d be getting back.”
Cherelle Griner stated that she was overcome with emotion upon the release.
She expressed her “sincere gratitude for President Biden and his entire administration.”
Once again, the Biden administration has dumbfounded Americans who have a sense of decency and would have preferred a different outcome. If there is a choice between a person who served the country and another person who is an athlete that has publicly trashed the United States miserably, I don’t think this was the outcome that most Americans wanted.
We are grateful Griner was released. Maybe now she will be grateful for living in America, but I won’t hold my breath.
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