On Thursday morning Joe Biden announced that WNBA star Brittney Griner has officially been freed from Russia and is on her way home. However, the process it took to get Griner out of prison is not as pretty as many news site outlets are reporting
Biden announced that Griner was flying from a penal colony in Russia where she was detained ten months ago for bringing vape cartridges that contained illegal cannabis oils which were picked up in a Moscow airport.
Since the release of Griner, Biden has gloated about the fact that she is coming home but has failed to highlight the mistakes within this deal that was made.
Check out a recent post he made below:
Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.
She is safe.
She is on a plane.
She is on her way home. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022
In exchange for Griner, the United States released the infamous Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout who earned the name “Merchant of Death” and even was inspiration for the Nicholas Cage movie “Lord of War.”
While Griner was serving her nine year sentence in the Russian prison, Bout was serving a much lengthier sentence and appeared to be in the middle of a twenty-five year sentence. Bout was convicted of conspiracy to murder Americans through to his ties to a Colombian terrorist organization.
Needless to say, this was not necessarily the most fair trade in the world…
On the other hand, many Americans have growing concerns about Paul Whelan, a businessman and former Marine who was imprisoned in Russia on suspicion of spying. The Biden Administration even went as far to notify the family of Paul Whelan that he was not going to be a part of the Griner-Bout prisoner swap.
“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 … I do not know if he is aware yet, although he will surely learn from Russian media,” David Whelan, Paul’s brother told NBC News.
Whelan has spent a significant longer time in Russia, he was jailed in December of 2018 on the espionage charges, although both the United States and he categorically deny. As of 2020 he has been sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison.
People expressed their outrage on Twitter early Thursday morning, check out what they had to say below:
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 gave up a Russian arms dealer in exchange for an anti-American WNBA player, while leaving US Marine Paul Whelan to rot in a Russian prison. This is an abomination. Our country is run by incompetent scumbags.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) December 8, 2022
U.S. Marine Paul Whelan should have been the Biden Regime’s higher priority, that’s a fact. But under no circumstances should an international arms dealer who targeted US citizens, the MERCHANT OF DEATH Viktor Bout, have been released. This is pure idiocy.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) December 8, 2022
Brittney Griner being released in exchange for a convicted arms dealer.
What about Retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan?
— Mayra Flores (@MayraFlores2022) December 8, 2022
We just traded “The Merchant of Death” Viktor Bout, a man who sold arms to warlords, for Brittney Griner, a WNBA player.
This may be the worst trade deal in history.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 8, 2022
When you’re voting on November 5th 2024, don’t forget that Biden left a Marine behind to save an athlete.
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) December 8, 2022
Can you imagine the headlines if Trump traded one of the biggest terrorist in the world "TO RUSSIA" for a basketball player.
— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) December 8, 2022