Thursday morning, the Biden administration secured the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner from Russia in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout, also known as the “Merchant of Death.” While the swap marks a victory for Griner and her family, the administration’s deal failed to release United States Marine Paul Whelan, who has suffered in Russian detention for four years now.
Griner, on the other hand, is now back in the United States after spending less than 10 months in a penal colony. Rightfully so, Whelan and his family are disappointed and dissatisfied with the Biden administration’s inability to strike a deal that included his release, too.
After news broke about Griner’s transfer, Whelan spoke to CNN from the detention center he is currently residing in, discussing the administration’s efforts and his potential release.
“I have to say I’m greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release,” Whelan said. “Especially as the four-year-anniversary of my arrest is coming up. I was arrested for a crime that never occurred.”
“I would say that if a message could go to President Biden, that, you know, this is a precarious situation that needs to be resolved quickly. And I would hope that he and his administration would do everything they could to get me home regardless of the price they may have to pay at this point.”
Tragically, Whelan also added that he was ‘shocked’ that the administration was not able to secure his release in a swap featuring one of the world’s most prolific killers.
“I was led to believe that things were moving in the right direction,” Whelan said, “and that the governments were negotiating and that something would happen fairly soon.”
Unfortunately for the Marine, who is being held on trumped-up espionage charges, a release does not seem likely any time soon.
Former President Donald Trump reacted to Biden’s trade, sharing the popular sentiment that too much was given up just to return Griner to America:
6 Responses
Oscar Williams: You have the names juxtaposed. It’s Paul WHELAN, not Griner. Brittany Griner is the BB player, Whelan the marine.
That said, yes to all who said in essence “WTF?” The merchant of death for a US hater? Like Obama’s trade of a US deserter for 5 Taliban leaders. This whole administration is upside down. Wake up America (Biden supporters in particular) You voted him in and he has been a national embarrassment. I have quite a few friends overseas who ask what the hell is going on with your country. From a cross dresser (and thief) in charge of the nuclear energy commission, to a Dr who dresses as a woman, looks like an ugly guy (oh, and an ugly woman too) who is in charge of our health department? And a president who gets more confused, or lies ( history of plagerism AND lying) who is being told what to do which is obvious. He gave up a defensible airfield Bahgram and let the Taliban box us into a corner and LEFT TENS OF BILLIONS WORTH OF WORKING, USEABLE MILITARY EQUIPMENT FOR THE TALIBAN. No effort to destroy, disable said equipment either! Not to mention the many hundreds, maybe thousands of US civilians, Afghan interpreters, workers who are either targets of the Taliban or already executed like the presidential security team. And the list goes on….it’s sickening.
The Marine should have been brought home first. He served our Country. Griner has done nothing but insult the Flag and our Country. Another dumb move by the biden administration.
Biden is a wooden (p)resident — read: “dummy” — controlled by globalist ventriloquists. Their mission in the U.S. is to demoralize us. You and Me! This is the globalists call to flip us off and try to sadden and depress us. Like when Ronan walked out of the “death eagle” and all the residents of Nova Prime were weeping, having hoped he had been killed in the crash. But we Americans are a LOT tougher than that. I just hope and pray that 1) voting procedures for 2024 are FAIR, 2) that those who actually voted for Biden will say “never again” having seen the destruction this dummy has wrought, and 3) mitch McConnell is somehow taken out of “the equation”, since he’s the biggest RINO of all, trying to be the “shadow president.” Pray for Paul Griner! He’s just a pawn, a “chip” for Putin. Pray for The U.S.A! And pray for God to step in and get the attention of ALL the world. Satan is taking souls from God every second. God Bless Paul Griner. God Bless Donald Trump. God Bless America. Pray every day for GOOD. If you don’t talk to God, ask in Jesus’ name, he will not force you.
What people need to understand is Biden has given Putin a way to get the weapons he needs to defeat Ukraine. This dealer is an international arms dealer with information about where and who has the weapons Putin needs. Another horrible deal just like the Afghanistan withdraw. If his stupidity causes the death of one more U.S. Serviceman he needs to be charged with treason and locked up. And we get a person who hates what America stands for to the extend she will not stand to honor our flag.
Please bring him home
What a fkng joke. Gonna get this American hating basketball star out that will not stand for the flag, claims it shouldn’t be even played at any event, gonna make her liberal ass a hero for everyone, but can’t get a marine that has served this country for our freedoms as well as Griner’s. What a travesty. Wonder if she will stand now for the National Anthem ? Should of left her until you got a real hero out !