Friday, March 29

Biden spoke with wife of Brittney Griner, will send letter to WNBA star


WASHINGTONPresident Joe Biden spoke Wednesday with the wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner and also plans to send a letter directly to Griner, according to a summary of the call obtained by NBC News.

The White House said that Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris called Cherelle Griner “to reassure her that he is working to secure Brittney’s release as soon as possible.” The call came after Brittney Griner sent a handwritten letter to the president pleading her for his help to get her released from jail in Russia.

Biden also read Cherelle Griner a draft of the letter he’s sending to Brittney Griner on Wednesday, the White House said.

“The President offered his support to Cherelle and Brittney’s family, and he has committed to ensuring they are provided with all possible assistance while his administration pursues every avenue to bring Brittney home,” the White House said.

Cherelle Griner previously spoke by phone in recent weeks and over the weekend Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, the White House said. Biden also directed his national security team to remain in regular contact with the family and families of other Americans detained around the world, including Paul Whelan, a former security executive who is also detained in Russia.

Vanessa Nygaard, head coach of the Phoenix Mercury, said in an interview on MSNBC Wednesday that the team desperately wants to get Griner back to the US

“I mean, it must be hell,” she said. “It must be the most terrible thing possible for her to not have access to all the things she normally has access to, but we’re talking about a Russian prison. And so it couldn’t be a worse condition, I think, and we are just concerned about her and her welfare every day.”

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Nygaard said they’ve been able to communicate with Griner via email and through the State Department.

“But it’s just so upsetting to know that somebody you care about is put into this terrible situation,” she said. “She’s wrongfully detained. And you know, we know in America that we hold freedom, very tight and very important to us.”

Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court outside Moscow on July 1, 2022.Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP – Getty Images

Biden had been under increasing pressure to demonstrate progress toward her release as she faces a trial for drug smuggling charges. She was detained in Russia in February after authorities said she was in possession of cannabis-derived vape cartridges. Biden received a letter from Griner on Monday, in which she wrote, “I’m terrified I might be here forever.” Griner’s wife, Cherelle, has also been speaking publicly in recent days, and Rev. Al Sharpton is calling on the Biden administration to help facilitate a visit from him and other religious leaders.

One senior administration official said the US doesn’t expect a resolution for Griner before her trial plays out, which is likely to take weeks. At that point, the official said, the administration expects Russian President Vladimir Putin may be ready to negotiate a deal.

Vanessa Nygaard, head coach of the Phoenix Mercury, said in an interview on MSNBC Wednesday that the team desperately wants to get Griner back to the US

“I mean, it must be hell,” she said. “It must be the most terrible thing possible for her to not have access to all the things she normally has access to, but we’re talking about a Russian prison. And so it could n’t be a worse condition, I think, and we are just concerned about her and her welfare every day.

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Nygaard said they’ve been able to communicate with Griner via email and through the State Department.

“But it’s just so upsetting to know that somebody you care about is put into this terrible situation,” she said. “She’s wrongfully detained. And you know, we know in America that we hold freedom, very tight and very important to us.”

When asked for comment, the National Security Council pointed to spokesperson Adrienne Watson’s statement on Monday, saying, “President Biden has been clear about the need to see all US nationals who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad released, including Brittney Griner. The US government continues to work aggressively — using every available means — to bring her home to her. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that Biden had read Griner’s letter but declined to say whether or how he would respond.

Jean-Pierre also said Tuesday that the administration has been working aggressively behind the scenes on Griner’s release. She declined to say whether the president would accept a prisoner swap as part of a deal for her freedom from her.




www.nbcnews.com

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