President Joe Biden announced the controversial decision to free Brittney Griner last week. The deal with the Russian government freed convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout in the prisoner swap.
Biden faced virulent criticism online for the deal that also left former United Stated Marine Paul Whelan in Russian custody. Whelan is currently serving a 16-year sentence for espionage.
Former president Donald Trump issued multiple statements condemning the deal to free Griner, while also claiming he had a deal in place that would have freed Whalen before the Russians reneged after Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
Now, Whalen’s family is pushing back against Trump.
According to The Hill, Whalen’s brother accused the Trump administration of not having the same amount of interest in the case as the Biden administration. Whalen’s mother called Trump’s statement “a surprise, and not a welcome one.” The family has issued multiple statements lauding Biden for the deal that saw Griner back on American soil in time for Christmas.
Griner was originally sentenced to nine years in a maximum-security penal colony for women after pleading guilty to bringing a small amount of medical hashish oil aboard a flight with her Russian Premier League team in January.
[The Hill]
