The administration of American president Joe Biden announced a controversial prisoner swap on Thursday involving imprisoned WNBA star Brittney Griner and convicted Russian Arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Though the family of imprisoned former United States Marine Paul Whalen welcomed the exchange for Griner’s freedom, many on the internet questioned why Biden left a Marine out of a deal that freed a super-criminal like Bout.
Wait nah!! We left a marine?!! Hell nah https://t.co/3AeQx8K9OZ
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) December 8, 2022
“Wait nah!! We left a marine?!! Hell nah,” Parsons originally tweeted. He would walk back the comments an hour later, saying he meant no disrespect to Brittney Griner but he still wouldn’t be voting for Joe Biden.
Celebrate Brittney Griner coming home to her family and now let’s get Marine Paul Whelan home too.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 8, 2022
“Celebrate Brittney Griner coming home to her family and now let’s get Marine Paul Whelan home too,” Robert Griffin III tweeted.
It's good to see Brittney Griner getting out of Russia, but how could the U.S. not work out a deal to get the retired marine back at the same time?
That doesn't make sense. https://t.co/fn9tl0GaQI
— Tyler Mansfield (@TMansfieldMedia) December 8, 2022
“It’s good to see Brittney Griner getting out of Russia, but how could the U.S. not work out a deal to get the retired marine back at the same time? That doesn’t make sense,” Tyler Mansfield tweeted.
Brittney Griner being released in exchange for a convicted arms dealer.
What about Retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan?
— Mayra Flores Vallejo (@MayraFloresTX34) December 8, 2022
“Brittney Griner being released in exchange for a convicted arms dealer. What about Retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan?” Congresswoman Mayra Flores said.
Glad Brittney Griner is home! Now let’s get Marine Paul Whelan freed.
He’s been in Russian detention for nearly four years on charges the U.S. calls politically motivated.
— Kendall Baker (@kendallbaker) December 8, 2022
“Glad Brittney Griner is home! Now let’s get Marine Paul Whelan freed. He’s been in Russian detention for nearly four years on charges the U.S. calls politically motivated,” Kendall Baker wrote.
Griner was originally set to serve nine years in a maximum-security penal colony for women 200 miles west of Moscow. Biden said Thursday his administration continues to work for Whalen’s release.
