White House Has Blunt Message For Brittney Griner Trade Critics
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Earlier this week, the United States and Russia agreed on a prisoner swap that will bring Brittney Griner home.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
The WNBA great has been in a Russian prison since February, following her arrest for carrying cannabis oil. In compensation for Griner, the United States freed arms trader Viktor Bout back to Russia.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Naturally, there were some difficulties with the decision - especially given recent "trade" talks had involved fellow American Paul Whelan, just to have him not be included in the exchange.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed those concerns on Thursday.
"The president felt a moral obligation to bring Brittney home. There was an opportunity to do that, and it was either Brittney or no one at all, and we are not going to apologize for that.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
...Here were our choices. Our alternatives were Brittney or no one at all—Bringing home one American or no American at all.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Jean-Pierre made it clear the United States is still doing everything it can to being Whelan home.