WNBA player Brittney Griner made an appearance at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Phoenix, Arizona, a month after being <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/wnba-star-brittney-griner-freed-from-russian-prison-in-swap-for-arms-dealer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">released</a> from a Russian jail in a prisoner swap.
Griner appeared in the parade on Monday with her wife, Cherelle, reportedly telling fans she was glad to be home.
Local reporter Jonathan McCall shared an image and video with Griner at the parade on Twitter.
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HAPPY TO BE HOME: <a href="https://twitter.com/PhoenixMercury?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PhoenixMercury</a> star <a href="https://twitter.com/brittneygriner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@brittneygriner</a> makes appearance at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AZMLK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AZMLK</a> Festival in Phoenix. 
BG posed for pictures with fans. 
Talked about being Houstonians.
Says she’s happy to be home after time in Russian prison.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/News?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#News</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AZ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AZ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BG42?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BG42</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hoops?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hoops</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WNBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WNBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/G2ocB8fEqO">pic.twitter.com/G2ocB8fEqO</a>
&mdash; Jonathan McCall (@JonathanMcCall) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonathanMcCall/status/1615095676404404226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Griner was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/report-wnba-star-detained-in-russia-on-drug-charges-could-face-up-to-10-years-in-prison" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arrested</a> in February in a Moscow airport after vaping cartridges containing hashish oil were found in her luggage. She was later <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/wnba-star-brittney-griner-sentenced-to-9-years-in-russian-prison" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sentenced</a> to more than nine years in a decision many argued was politically motivated.
The Mercury Phoenix center&#8217;s arrest occurred shortly before Russia <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-russia-begins-full-scale-invasion-into-ukraine-putin-confirms-military-operation-underway" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invaded</a> Ukraine in February. President Joe Biden spoke out against Russia&#8217;s invasion, with the U.S. providing <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senate-advances-massive-40-billion-ukraine-spending-package-11-republicans-oppose" target="_blank" rel="noopener">billions of dollars</a> in support to Ukraine.
Griner was released in December in a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/video-emerges-of-brittney-griner-being-swapped-for-russian-terrorist-critics-instantly-notice-problem" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prisoner swap</a> for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, also known as the “Merchant of Death.”
The two-time Olympic gold medalist wrote a post on Instagram to celebrate her freedom last month.
&#8220;It feels so good to be home! The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn. I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help,&#8221; Griner <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmPAWB5O8F1/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> in December.
Griner also commented on her return to the basketball court next season.
&#8220;I also want to make one thing very clear: I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon,&#8221; she added in the Instagram post.
Bout was serving a 25-year prison sentence in the U.S. for conspiring to kill Americans, delivery of anti-aircraft missiles, and aiding a terrorist organization.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was among those who spoke out against the Biden administration&#8217;s strategy in the prisoner swap.
“We weren’t going to trade bad guys for celebrities because it creates the wrong incentives for the bad guys. As we go forward, it’s not good for American national security. It’s not good for people who are traveling across the world,” he <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNewsSunday/status/1601983971520569345" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.
Others have also expressed <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/pompeo-blasts-griner-prisoner-swap-bad-guys-for-celebrities-sends-wrong-message" target="_blank" rel="noopener">frustration</a> that former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan remains imprisoned in Russia and was not freed during the negotiations to secure Griner&#8217;s release.
“I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four-year anniversary of my arrest is coming up. I was arrested for a crime that never occurred,” Whelan <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/08/politics/paul-whelan-cnn-interview-brittney-griner/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. “I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.”

Brittney Griner

WNBA’s Brittney Griner Makes MLK Day Appearance In Arizona

Arizona

Russia

U.S.

WNBA

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blasted the Biden administration over its recent prisoner swap of Russian &#8220;Merchant of Death&#8221; arms dealer Viktor Bout for American WNBA player Brittney Griner.
Pompeo shared his criticisms during an interview on &#8220;Fox News Sunday&#8221; with Shannon Bream.
“We weren’t going to trade bad guys for celebrities because it creates the wrong incentives for the bad guys. As we go forward, it’s not good for American national security. It’s not good for people who are traveling across the world,” Pompeo said.
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WATCH: Former Secretary of State <a href="https://twitter.com/mikepompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mikepompeo</a> joined <a href="https://twitter.com/ShannonBream?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShannonBream</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FoxNewsSunday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FoxNewsSunday</a> to react to Brittney Griner&#39;s release and China&#39;s developing relationship with Saudi Arabia. Plus, he shares his thoughts on the future of the Republican Party as well as his 2024 plans. <a href="https://t.co/gGjEzcy54n">pic.twitter.com/gGjEzcy54n</a>
&mdash; Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNewsSunday/status/1601983971520569345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Griner was released after being detained in Russia for ten months for bringing cannabis oil cartridges into the country just ahead of the Kremlin&#8217;s invasion of Ukraine.
The Phoenix Mercury star was later sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony. The Biden administration held months of talks with Russian leaders to negotiate Griner&#8217;s release.
Griner&#8217;s prison swap was announced on Thursday. Some Americans celebrated her freedom, but many were critical of the trade.
Bout was serving a 25-year prison sentence in the U.S. on charges of conspiring to kill Americans, delivery of anti-aircraft missiles, and aiding a terrorist organization. Some worries remain that the Merchant of Death could soon return to his former ways.
&#8220;[W]e cannot ignore that releasing Bout back into the world is a deeply disturbing decision,&#8221; Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) said in a <a href="https://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/chairman-menendez-statement-on-the-release-of-brittney-griner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. &#8220;We must stop inviting dictatorial and rogue regimes to use Americans overseas as bargaining chips, and we must try do (sic) better at encouraging American citizens against traveling to places like Russia where they are primary targets for this type of unlawful detention.&#8221;
Former DEA agent Robert Zachariasiewicz told the Washington Post that he opposed the prisoner swap over the message it could send to Russian leaders.
“We just showed that it is really useful to have an American in your back pocket because you never know when you need them to trade,” Zachariasiewicz <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/12/09/brittney-griner-viktor-bout-paul-whelan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton also criticized the agreement.
“This is not a deal. This is not a swap. This is a surrender. And terrorists and rogue states all around the world will take note of this, and it endangers other Americans in the future who can be grabbed and used as bargaining chips by people who don’t have the same morals and scruples that we do,” Bolton <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/12/08/trump-turned-down-viktor-bout-for-paul-whelan-prisoner-swap-john-bolton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> during a CBS interview.
Others have expressed frustration that former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan remains imprisoned in Russia and was not part of the deal.
“I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four-year anniversary of my arrest is coming up. I was arrested for a crime that never occurred,” Whelan <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/08/politics/paul-whelan-cnn-interview-brittney-griner/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. “I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.”

Mike Pompeo

Pompeo Blasts Griner Prisoner Swap: ‘Bad Guys For Celebrities’ Sends Wrong Message

Pompeo Blasts Griner Prisoner Swap

Executive

Fox News Sunday

Global Politics

World

National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby defended the Biden administration’s prisoner swap of notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for American WNBA player Brittney Griner. 
Appearing Sunday on ABC’s “This Week” with host Martha Raddatz, Kirby responded to bipartisan criticism of the exchange, specifically reacting to Sen. Bob Menendez&#8217;s (D-NJ) remarks calling it a “deeply disturbing decision.” 
“He would have gone free anyway in 2029,” Kirby said in response. “He wasn’t serving a life sentence.” 
Raddatz pushed back on his statement, saying, “that’s a long way away.” 
“It’s six years away,” Kirby replied. “And nobody’s doing backflips over there about the fact that Mr. Bout is a free man six years earlier than he would have been.” 
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&quot;Nobody’s doing back flips over there about the fact” Viktor Bout was released early, WH&#39;s John Kirby tells <a href="https://twitter.com/MarthaRaddatz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarthaRaddatz</a>.
“If Mr. Bout decides to go back to his previous line of work, then we’re going to do what we need to do to hold him accountable.” <a href="https://t.co/vY0BbWFHCJ">https://t.co/vY0BbWFHCJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/lNl9HSBVv2">pic.twitter.com/lNl9HSBVv2</a>
&mdash; This Week (@ThisWeekABC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThisWeekABC/status/1601951055939616769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Griner was arrested in February at a Moscow airport after being caught with marijuana vaping materials and sentenced to nine years in prison in August. Bout was <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/international-arms-dealer-viktor-bout-convicted-new-york-terrorism-crimes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">convicted</a> in 2011 of conspiring to sell millions of dollars worth of weapons to a designated foreign terrorist group to be used to kill Americans.
Kirby insisted, “we’re going to protect our national security&#8221; while Bout is free. 
&#8220;If Mr. Bout goes back to his previous line of work, then we’re going to do what we need to do to hold him accountable and protect our interests.” 
President Joe Biden has been slammed for the deal as many Americans are upset that former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan remains detained in Russia. Whelan has been jailed <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/madness-even-biden-doj-officials-calling-foul-on-griner-swap-for-merchant-of-death" target="_blank" rel="noopener">since</a> 2018 on espionage charges that the U.S. government says are baseless.
Sen. Menendez released a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/top-democrat-senator-blasts-biden-over-releasing-terrorist-for-griner-deeply-disturbing-decision" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> last week saying, “The Russians and other regimes that take American citizens hostage cannot pretend that there is equivalence between the Brittney Griners of the world and people like Viktor Bout, the so-called ‘Merchant of Death.’”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2022/12/08/mccarthy_griner_was_jailed_for_a_trumped-up_charge_but_to_exchange_her_for_merchant_of_death_makes_us_weaker.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called</a> the one-for-one exchange a “big win for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin” and said that Biden “left a Marine behind.” 
Raddatz pressed Kirby on critics who said American negotiators weren’t “tough enough.” Kirby responded, “They weren’t in the room. They weren’t on the phone,” and added that negotiators pushed for the release of both Griner and Whelan.

White House Holds Press Briefing

‘He Would Have Gone Free Anyway In 2029’: John Kirby Responds To Critics Of Swapping Viktor Bout For Brittney Griner

John Kirby Responds To Critics Of Releasing Viktor Bout For Brittney Griner

Officials at the Department of Justice (DOJ) think it was a mistake for President Joe Biden to swap WNBA star <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/wnba-star-brittney-griner-freed-from-russian-prison-in-swap-for-arms-dealer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brittney Griner</a> for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, dubbed the “Merchant of Death.&#8221;
Griner was arrested in February at a Moscow airport after being caught with marijuana vaping materials and sentenced to nine years in prison in August. Bout, one of the world’s most notorious arms dealers, was <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/international-arms-dealer-viktor-bout-convicted-new-york-terrorism-crimes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">convicted</a> in 2011 of conspiring to sell millions of dollars worth of weapons to a designated foreign terrorist group to be used to kill Americans.
&#8220;If she were my relative, I would want to do the swap,&#8221; one DOJ official <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/12/09/brittney-griner-viktor-bout-paul-whelan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> The Washington Post. &#8220;But trading a notorious international arms dealer for a basketball player is madness.&#8221;
The Post said many officials within the department view the one-for-one swap as a mistake, given the glaring disparity between offenses.
Former DEA agent Robert Zachariasiewicz told the Post he was opposed to the move over what it likely reinforces to Russia.
&#8220;We just showed that it is really useful to have an American in your back pocket because you never know when you need them to trade,&#8221; Zachariasiewicz said.
At the time of his conviction, then-Attorney General Eric Holder called Bout &#8220;one of the world’s most prolific arms dealers.&#8221;
“Viktor Bout’s arms trafficking activity and support of armed conflicts have been a source of concern around the globe for decades,&#8221; the Obama administration AG said, adding that Bout would pay for his &#8220;efforts to sell millions of dollars worth of weapons to terrorists for use in killing Americans.&#8221;
The Biden administration took additional heat for the Griner swap since they failed to secure the release of Paul Whelan, a retired U.S. Marine jailed in Russia since December 2018 on espionage charges that the U.S. government said are baseless.
David Whelan, brother of the imprisoned Michigan man, said in a statement that he “can’t fathom” how his brother would feel upon hearing the news of Griner’s release.
“Despite the possibility that there might be an exchange without Paul, our family is still devastated,” David said, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/wnba-star-brittney-griner-freed-from-russian-prison-in-swap-for-arms-dealer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> reported. “I can’t even fathom how Paul will feel when he learns. Paul has worked so hard to survive nearly 4 years of this injustice. His hopes had soared with the knowledge that the US government was taking concrete steps for once towards his release. He’d been worrying about where he’d live when he got back to the U.S.”
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hell-nah-dallas-cowboy-has-strong-reaction-to-brittney-griner-swap" target="_blank" rel="noopener">‘Hell Nah’: Dallas Cowboy Has Strong Reaction To Brittney Griner Swap, Walks It Back</a>

President Biden Welcomes French President Macron To The White House

‘Madness’: Even Biden DOJ Officials Calling Foul On Griner Swap For ‘Merchant Of Death’

‘Madness’: Even DOJ Officials Calling Foul On Biden Swapping Griner For ‘Merchant Of Death’

Biden Administration

General

NBC published a bombshell story — alleging that Russian officials initially offered the Biden administration the choice between WNBA star <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/wnba-star-brittney-griner-freed-from-russian-prison-in-swap-for-arms-dealer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brittney Griner</a> and Marine veteran <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/i-dont-understand-marine-vet-left-in-russian-prison-greatly-disappointed-after-griner-swap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paul Whelan</a> in Thursday&#8217;s prisoner swap — but then <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/nbc-news-issues-correction-reporting-biden-choice-between-griner-whelan-prisoner-swap" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued a correction</a> after the White House told a different story.
Outkick&#8217;s David Hookstead shared screenshots of both the original story and the edited version, explaining, &#8220;NBC had a bombshell report that Russia offered America Brittney Griner OR Paul Whelan, citing a senior government official. It would be Biden&#8217;s choice which one to save. The report was later edited without explanation to mirror Biden&#8217;s explanation that only Griner was offered.&#8221;
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NBC had a bombshell report that Russia offered America Brittney Griner OR Paul Whelan, citing a senior government official. It would be Biden&#39;s choice which one to save.
The report was later edited without explanation to mirror Biden&#39;s explanation that only Griner was offered. <a href="https://t.co/5BvGeyP0RU">pic.twitter.com/5BvGeyP0RU</a>
&mdash; David Hookstead (@dhookstead) <a href="https://twitter.com/dhookstead/status/1601255872365461504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Both the original and the edited stories noted that Russia was willing to make a trade for convicted international arms dealer Viktor Bout, who has served 11 years of his 25-year sentence.
&#8220;But the official said Russia has treated Whelan differently because he is an accused spy, and that the Kremlin gave the White House the choice of either Griner or Whelan — or none,&#8221; the text of the original story read.
But the corrected copy offered a slight alteration, stating that Russian officials had only offered a deal for Griner, saying, &#8220;But the official said Russia has treated Whelan differently because he is accused of spying and that the Kremlin ultimately gave the White House the choice of Griner or no one after different options were proposed.&#8221;
The article included a correction, adding, &#8220;an earlier version of this article misstated the choice the Biden administration was given over hostages. It was to swap for Griner or no one, not a choice between Griner or Whelan.&#8221;
The revised copy mirrored the White House&#8217;s claims almost exactly. After Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre highlighted <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/kjp-gushes-over-griners-release-an-important-role-model-for-lgbtqi-americans-and-women-of-color/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">all the reasons</a> it was great that Griner was coming home — namely that she was &#8220;more than an athlete, more than an Olympian, she is an important role model and inspiration to millions of Americans, particularly the LGBTQI+ Americans and women of color&#8221; — she told reporters, &#8220;unfortunately, the choice became to either bring Brittney home or no one.&#8221;
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Karine Jean-Pierre on why the White House was able to bring WNBA player Brittney Griner home but not former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan:
“Unfortunately, the choice became to either bring Brittney home or no one.” <a href="https://t.co/KTUcWCHfmZ">pic.twitter.com/KTUcWCHfmZ</a>
&mdash; Townhall.com (@townhallcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/townhallcom/status/1600928310640676866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Former National Security Advisor John Bolton cast additional doubt on the Biden administration&#8217;s claim when he said that the Kremlin had previously offered Whelan as part of a one-for-one swap for Bout. He explained at the time that then-President Donald Trump had turned down the deal — and excoriated Biden for taking it.
&#8220;The possibility of a Bout-for-Whelan trade existed back then and it wasn’t made, for very good reasons having to deal with Viktor Bout,&#8221; Bolton said during a <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/12/08/trump-turned-down-viktor-bout-for-paul-whelan-prisoner-swap-john-bolton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CBS interview</a>, adding that he saw the final deal — Bout for Griner — as a &#8220;very bad mistake.&#8221;
&#8220;This is not a deal. This is not a swap. This is a surrender. And terrorists and rogue states all around the world will take note of this, and it endangers other Americans in the future who can be grabbed and used as bargaining chips by people who don’t have the same morals and scruples that we do,&#8221; Bolton said. &#8220;There are occasions when you swap spies. Obviously, there are legitimate exchanges of prisoners of war. But this doesn’t even approximate that. The idea that somehow what Brittney Griner did — very foolishly, in my estimate — but that whatever she did compares to Viktor Bout is something that shows just how desperate the administration was to make this deal. And I’m just very worried about the effect it has and the danger that it can put many other Americans in, all around the world.&#8221;

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Holds Daily Media Briefing

NBC Issues Correction, Changing Story To Match White House Spin On Griner Swap

Joe Biden

Media

This article is a companion piece to today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/podcasts/morning-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
FBI Looking Into Northwest Electricity Substations Attacks
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Biden Gets Blowback For Prisoner Swap
President Biden has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/americas-enemies-have-a-best-friend-in-biden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suffered some blowback</a> from his own party for his agreement to a one-for-one swap of WNBA star Britney Griner for infamous Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as “The Merchant of Death.”
Democratic Senator Bob Menendez called it a “deeply disturbing decision,” saying quote, “The Russians and other regimes that take American citizens hostage cannot pretend that there is equivalence between the Brittney Griner’s of the world and people like Viktor Bout, the so-called ‘Merchant of Death.’ Nothing could be further from the truth, and we cannot ignore that releasing Bout back into the world is a deeply disturbing decision.”
Former Marine Disappointed He Hasn&#8217;t Been Freed
Paul Whelan, the former Marine who has been imprisoned in Russia for more than three years, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/i-dont-understand-marine-vet-left-in-russian-prison-greatly-disappointed-after-griner-swap" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> CNN that he doesn’t understand why the Biden administration hasn’t done more to free him, saying, “I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four year anniversary of my arrest is coming up. I was arrested for a crime that never occurred. I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.”
Biden&#8217;s Approval Remains Low
President Biden’s <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/biden-approval-rating-holds-underwater-130431600.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approval rating</a> remains at 43% among U.S. adults, about the same as last month. 55% of people disapprove of the job Biden is doing, while just 25% of people describe the economy as “good.”
Detroit School Board Changes Name Of Benjamin Carson High School of Science and Medicine
The Detroit School Board recently voted to change the name of Benjamin Carson High School of Science and Medicine, named for famed neurosurgeon and former Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson. The new name will be Crockett Midtown High School of Science and Medicine. Carson commented this week on the name change.
&#8220;I think it&#8217;s ridiculous that they believe that to solve a problem, you redefine it,&#8221; Carson recently <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/worked-ben-carson-know-canceling-just-not-right" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. &#8220;Call it something else and it&#8217;s not a problem anymore &#8230; basically it depends on people being less than intellectually strong. That’s a good way of saying stupid. They know exactly what’s going on.&#8221;
Theranos Executive Sentenced
Former Theranos executive Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani was <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/07/tech/sunny-balwani-theranos-trial-sentencing/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sentenced</a> Wednesday to nearly 13 years in prison for his role in the company’s blood-testing fraud. That punishment is slightly longer than that given to CEO Elizabeth Homes, who was his accomplice in one of Silicon Valley’s biggest scandals. The 57-year-old was convicted in July of fraud and conspiracy connected to the company’s faulty medical technology that duped investors and endangered patients.
DOJ Claims &#8216;Bureaucratic Incompetence&#8217; In Whitey Bulger Killing
&#8220;Serious mismanagement,” “bureaucratic incompetence,” and bad policy <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/doj-ig-mismanagement-bureaucratic-incompetence-bad-policy-contributed-to-prison-murder-of-former-most-wanted-fugitive-whitey-bulger" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contributed</a> to the death of Boston mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger.
That’s according to a report from the Department of Justice Inspector General released Wednesday. Bulger was killed in the Hazelton prison by three inmates in West Virginia shortly after being transferred from a federal prison in Florida. Bulger was placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list in 1999 until his arrest in 2011.
Weekly Jobless Claims Increase 
And, weekly jobless claims <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-jobless-claims-modestly-last-133803693.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increased</a> by 4,000 to 230,000 and long-term or continuing claims rose by 62,000 to 1.67 million — a 10-month high — as the labor market remains tight.
To listen to the audio version of this podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-wire/id1576594336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>. And for more in-depth discussion of the biggest stories of the day, listen to the latest full episode of Morning Wire every morning.

Friday

Friday Afternoon Update: More Electricity Substations Attacked, Biden Slammed For Prisoner Swap, Weekly Jobless Claims Increase

Ben Carson

Morning Wire

Podcast

Theranos

Actor Kevin Sorbo said the Left has lost the argument for gun control after President Joe Biden &#8220;willingly freed&#8221; an &#8220;incredibly dangerous arms dealer&#8221; through the prisoner swap for WNBA star Brittney Griner.
The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kevin-sorbo">64-year-old actor</a> reacted Friday on <a href="https://twitter.com/ksorbs/status/1601250155084513280?s=20&amp;t=_LGGa8nLqfkJe5WAfojQPA">Twitter</a> to the news of Biden releasing notorious Russian weapons dealer Viktor Bout, known as the &#8220;Merchant of Death,&#8221; in exchange for Griner&#8217;s freedom after she was arrested on drug charges in February.
&#8220;I don&#8217;t want to hear anything about gun control from the left after they willingly freed an incredibly dangerous arms dealer,&#8221; Sorbo tweeted to his 1.4 million followers.
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I don’t want to hear anything about gun control from the left after they willingly freed an incredibly dangerous arms dealer.
&mdash; Kevin Sorbo (@ksorbs) <a href="https://twitter.com/ksorbs/status/1601250155084513280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The &#8220;God&#8217;s Not Dead&#8221; star wasn&#8217;t the only person who slammed the administration&#8217;s trade of Griner, who has a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2015/04/28/brittney-griner-plea-deal-guilty-domestic-violence-glory-johnson-wnba/26538559/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criminal record</a> in the U.S. from a domestic violence incident a few years back.
Bout was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-biden-offers-to-release-notorious-russian-terrorist-in-exchange-for-brittney-griner-report-says'" target="_blank" rel="noopener">convicted</a> in 2011 on terrorism charges for trying to sell tens of millions of dollars worth of missiles to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for the purpose of shooting down U.S. military helicopters, as <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/top-democrat-senator-blasts-biden-over-releasing-terrorist-for-griner-deeply-disturbing-decision" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> previously reported.
Fox Business analyst Dagen McDowell tweeted, &#8220;The US releases arms dealer Viktor Bout to Russia in exchange for Brittney Griner. &#8216;You&#8217;d be hard-pressed to find a man with more blood on his hands,&#8217; says Chris Swecker, former head of the FBI&#8217;s criminal div. A former intell operative for Putin, Bout now resumes that career.&#8221;
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The US releases arms dealer Viktor Bout to Russia in exchange for Brittney Griner. “You’d be hard-pressed to find a man with more blood on his hands,” says Chris Swecker, former head of the FBI’s criminal div. A former intell operative for Putin, Bout now resumes that career.
&mdash; Dagen McDowell (@dagenmcdowell) <a href="https://twitter.com/dagenmcdowell/status/1600855910104334336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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OutKick&#8217;s Clay Travis said the prison swap has now set a &#8220;precedent&#8221; that would &#8220;endanger&#8221; Americans overseas.
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Brittney Griner and Viktor Bout’s prison swap has set a dangerous precedent for Americans overseas.
Bad actors all over the world can now imprison mildly famous Americans in their countries hoping to free real criminals from American prisons.<a href="https://twitter.com/ClayTravis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ClayTravis</a> breaks it down ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/MokLHnfeEd">pic.twitter.com/MokLHnfeEd</a>
&mdash; OutKick (@Outkick) <a href="https://twitter.com/Outkick/status/1600979319412903936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Others slammed Biden for a trade that did not include the release of U.S. Marine veteran Paul Whelan, who remains in a Russian jail cell.
&#8220;Help me wrap my mind around this Griner-for-Death trade,&#8221; The Blaze&#8217;s Jason Whitlock tweeted. &#8220;Feels like one of the lowest points in US foreign policy history? Or am I exaggerating? Give me some perspective. What compares? Bay of BIG 2.0?&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Help me wrap my mind around this Griner-for-Death trade. Feels like one of the lowest points in US foreign policy history? Or am I exaggerating? Give me some perspective. What compares? Bay of BIG 2.0?
&mdash; Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhitlockJason/status/1600846643317788673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Conservative radio host Dana Loesch wrote, &#8220;Biden sure does have a habit of leaving Marines behind,&#8221; harkening back to the Biden administration&#8217;s &#8220;botched&#8221; <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senate-report-reveals-biden-failures-that-led-to-botched-afghanistan-withdrawal">withdrawal</a> from Afghanistan.
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Biden sure does have a habit of leaving Marines behind.
&mdash; Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) <a href="https://twitter.com/DLoesch/status/1600878172316254208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/actor-kevin-sorbo-challenges-critics-claiming-old-white-men-cant-decide-roe-v-wade-with-historic-throwback-shot">Actor Kevin Sorbo Challenges Critics Claiming &#8216;Old White Men Can’t Decide&#8217; Roe V. Wade With Historic Throwback Shot</a>

248AAE00-E626-4572-B809-B108A46CE229_1_201_a

Kevin Sorbo Says He Doesn’t ‘Want To Hear’ About Gun Control After Biden ‘Willingly’ Freed An ‘Incredibly Dangerous Arms Dealer’

Kevin Sorbo Says He Doesn't 'Want To Hear' About Gun Control After Biden ‘Willingly’ Freed An ‘Incredibly Dangerous Arms Dealer’

Celebrities

Entertainment

Hollywood

Kevin Sorbo

Video emerged Thursday afternoon of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/brittney-griner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brittney Griner</a> being swapped on a runway for convicted Russian terrorist Viktor Bout after Democrat President Joe Biden agreed to the trade.
The video showed Griner, who is wearing a red jacket, walking across the tarmac with three men while Bout walked toward her with a man standing next to him.
Bout shook the hands of a couple of people in the video before an obvious cut appeared in the film. The footage then resumes just moments later showing Griner walking away from Bout.
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Russian news agency TASS publishes footage of the Brittney Griner/Viktor Bout exchange. <a href="https://t.co/QmOItTEQ3O">pic.twitter.com/QmOItTEQ3O</a>
&mdash; Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) <a href="https://twitter.com/stillgray/status/1600969053396688896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Critics online instantly noted the cut and that it appeared as though Griner was posturing herself to shake Bout&#8217;s hand right when the footage was cut.
Bout was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-biden-offers-to-release-notorious-russian-terrorist-in-exchange-for-brittney-griner-report-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">convicted</a> on terrorism charges back in 2011 for trying to sell tens of millions of dollars worth of missiles to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for the purpose of shooting down U.S. Military helicopters.
&#8220;There&#8217;s a jump cut here at :13 as everyone is shaking hands and hugging and right before it looks like Griner maybe going in to shake hands with Bout?&#8221; political commentator Stephen L. Miller tweeted. &#8220;Probably not great optics there to have your star prisoner swap shaking hands with the most notorious arms dealer on the planet.&#8221;
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There&#39;s a jump cut here at :13 as everyone is shaking hands and hugging and right before it looks like Griner maybe going in to shake hands with Bout? <a href="https://t.co/UGNPPbG37w">https://t.co/UGNPPbG37w</a>
&mdash; Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) <a href="https://twitter.com/redsteeze/status/1600969324117696514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Newsmax host Rob Schmitt agreed, writing: &#8220;You can tell Griner went in for a handshake with Viktor Bout and it was completely edited out.&#8221;
&#8220;Watch her body language just before the edit,&#8221; he added.
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You can tell Griner went in for a handshake with Viktor Bout and it was completely edited out. Watch her body language just before the edit. <a href="https://t.co/pNHar7lEjA">https://t.co/pNHar7lEjA</a>
&mdash; Rob Schmitt (@SchmittNYC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SchmittNYC/status/1600950625948213248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The prisoner swap generated widespread backlash, including among Democrats, who noted that Bout was a very dangerous man and that by agreeing to the swap, President Joe Biden was effectively incentivizing rogue regimes to detain Americans overseas.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, slammed Biden, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/top-democrat-senator-blasts-biden-over-releasing-terrorist-for-griner-deeply-disturbing-decision">saying</a>, “This should be a moment of deep reflection for the United States government to recognize we have a serious problem with hostage-taking of Americans.”
“The Russians and other regimes that take American citizens hostage cannot pretend that there is equivalence between the Brittney Griners of the world and people like Viktor Bout, the so-called ‘Merchant of Death,’” Menendez continued. “Nothing could be further from the truth, and we cannot ignore that releasing Bout back into the world is a deeply disturbing decision.”
“We must stop inviting dictatorial and rogue regimes to use Americans overseas as bargaining chips, and we must try to do better at encouraging American citizens against traveling to places like Russia where they are primary targets for this type of unlawful detention,” he continued.

Brittney Griner Viktor Bout

Video Emerges Of Brittney Griner Being Swapped For Russian Terrorist; Critics Instantly Notice Problem

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, slammed President Joe Biden Thursday for releasing notorious terrorist Viktor Bout in exchange for <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/brittney-griner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brittney Griner</a>.
Griner, who has a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2015/04/28/brittney-griner-plea-deal-guilty-domestic-violence-glory-johnson-wnba/26538559/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criminal record</a> in the U.S. stemming from a domestic violence incident several years ago, was arrested in Russia back in February on drug charges, charges to which she pled guilty.
In exchange for Griner, Biden released Bout, a Russian weapons trafficker who was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-biden-offers-to-release-notorious-russian-terrorist-in-exchange-for-brittney-griner-report-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">convicted</a> on terrorism charges back in 2011 for trying to sell tens of millions of dollars worth of missiles to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for the purpose of shooting down U.S. Military helicopters.
&#8220;This should be a moment of deep reflection for the United States government to recognize we have a serious problem with hostage-taking of Americans,&#8221; Menendez said in a statement. &#8220;The Russians and other regimes that take American citizens hostage cannot pretend that there is equivalence between the Brittney Griners of the world and people like Viktor Bout, the so-called ‘Merchant of Death.’ Nothing could be further from the truth, and we cannot ignore that releasing Bout back into the world is a deeply disturbing decision.&#8221;
&#8220;We must stop inviting dictatorial and rogue regimes to use Americans overseas as bargaining chips, and we must try to do better at encouraging American citizens against traveling to places like Russia where they are primary targets for this type of unlawful detention,&#8221; he continued.
Menendez&#8217;s statement mentioned U.S. Marine veteran Paul Whelan, who was not rescued by the Biden administration from his jail cell in Russia.
&#8220;My heart also goes out to the families of other American citizens in Russian prisons and labor camps, including Paul Whelan,&#8221; the statement concluded. &#8220;They have my renewed commitment and determination to use the power of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to secure Mr. Whelan’s safe return and to continue fighting for the release of all Russian political prisoners, like Vladimir Kara Murza, and all other unjustly detained Americans.”
Whelan slammed the Biden administration during a CNN interview after the announcement was made that Griner was the one who was going to be freed.
“I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four-year anniversary of my arrest is coming up. I was arrested for a crime that never occurred,” Whelan <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/i-dont-understand-marine-vet-left-in-russian-prison-greatly-disappointed-after-griner-swap" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. “I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.”

US-RUSSIA-PRISONER-SWAP-BIDEN

Top Democrat Senator Blasts Biden Over Releasing Terrorist For Griner: ‘Deeply Disturbing Decision’

Dem Sen. Bob Menendez Blasts Biden Over Releasing Terrorist For Griner: ‘Deeply Disturbing Decision’

This article is a companion piece to today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/podcasts/morning-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
Griner Released In Exchange For Merchant Of Death
WNBA star Brittney Griner was freed from Russian captivity <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/kjp-gushes-over-griners-release-an-important-role-model-for-lgbtqi-americans-and-women-of-color" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thursday</a> in a prisoner exchange for notorious Russian arms dealer and international criminal Viktor Bout, known as the “Merchant of Death.” Griner was arrested in February at a Moscow airport after being caught with marijuana vaping materials. She was sentenced in August to nine years in prison. U.S. diplomats had been working for her release since she was taken into custody. President Joe Biden addressed why other Americans, such as U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, were not a part of the swap.
&#8220;Sadly, for totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is treating Paul [Whelan]&#8217;s case differently than Brittney&#8217;s,&#8221; Biden said.
&#8220;We are not giving up. We will never give up,&#8221; he added.
New York Times Writers Striking
More than 1,000 union members at The New York Times <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/great-day-for-america-the-new-york-times-is-barely-reporting-any-news-because-of-a-writers-strike" target="_blank" rel="noopener">walked</a> off the job today in what is set to be a 24-hour strike — the first such union action in more than 40 years.
Union members are demanding improved wages, more favorable remote work policies, as well as an improved employee evaluation system, which they say currently allows for racial bias.
Nantucket Goes Topless
Topless sunbathing is now legal in Nantucket, Massachusetts; Attorney General Maura approved <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/in-the-name-of-equality-nantucket-beaches-go-topless" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an amendment passed in May</a> by the residents of Nantucket legalizing topless beaches for both men and women.
Oregon Judge Blocks Gun Control Bill
A state judge has stopped a new Oregon law from taking effect that would create new barriers to purchasing firearms and ban the sale of any magazine larger than a 10-bullet clip, arguing that it violates Oregon’s constitution.
Russian-backed Ukrainian Faces 30 Years In U.S. Prison
Andrii Derkach, a Russian-backed Ukrainian politician, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/doj-russian-backed-ukrainian-oligarch-bought-two-california-condos-used-convoluted-scheme-to-get-around-u-s-sanctions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">faces up to 30 years in prison for fraudulently buying</a> two properties in California in violation of U.S. sanctions. Derkach was charged with seven criminal counts in an indictment unsealed this week. Derkach was previously sanctioned for trying to influence the 2020 elections, law enforcement officials said in a press release.
Peru&#8217;s President Arrested
Peru’s socialist President Pedro Castillo was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/perus-socialist-president-kicked-out-of-office-and-arrested-for-staging-attempted-coup-report-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arrested Wednesday</a> after being impeached and removed from office for staging a coup to stay in power. During his first 16 months in office, Castillo has faced six criminal investigations and three impeachment attempts, including the one that removed him from power this week.
Prosecutors Launch Investigation Into Crypto Creep CEO: Report
U.S. prosecutors have <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/federal-prosecutors-open-criminal-investigation-into-disgraced-ftx-founder-sam-bankman-fried-report-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly opened a criminal investigation</a> into whether disgraced FTX founder and major Democrat donor Sam Bankman-Fried committed financial crimes that led to the collapse of the company last month.
Celine Dion Announces She Has Stiff-Person Syndrome
And, iconic singer Celine Dion <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/celine-dion-reveals-heartbreaking-news-about-her-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed</a> Thursday that she is suffering from a rare disease that prevents her from currently performing. The singer stated she has been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a progressive disease that leaves its victims as “human statues” who struggle to walk or talk.
“Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to,&#8221; the singer said in a video posted to social media.
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Celine Dion has been diagnosed with a neurological disorder that ultimately leaves sufferers as human statues as it progressively locks the body into rigid positions, leaving people unable to walk or talk. This is so sad 💔 <a href="https://t.co/6oYqaQVS3k">pic.twitter.com/6oYqaQVS3k</a>
&mdash; virgo’s grooviest. (@virgosgrooviest) <a href="https://twitter.com/virgosgrooviest/status/1600835370765422593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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To listen to the audio version of this podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-wire/id1576594336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>. And for more in-depth discussion of the biggest stories of the day, listen to the latest full episode of Morning Wire every morning.

Thursday stock photo

Thursday Afternoon Update: Biden Releases ‘Merchant Of Death,’ Nantucket Goes Topless, New York Times Goes On Strike

Thursday Afternoon Update: Biden Releases 'Merchant Of Death,' Nantucket Goes Topless, New York Times Goes On Strike

New York Times

Oregon

White House Press Secretary <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/karine-jean-pierre" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Karine Jean-Pierre</a> praised WNBA player Brittney Griner during Thursday&#8217;s press conference after the Biden administration released a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/wnba-star-brittney-griner-freed-from-russian-prison-in-swap-for-arms-dealer">notorious terrorist</a> from custody in exchange for Griner being released from a Russian prison after she was arrested on drug charges earlier this year.
&#8220;President Biden keeps his promises and today he fulfilled a deeply important promise to bring Brittney Griner home to a family that loves her, a team that misses her, and a country that has marveled at her strength and courage,&#8221; Jean-Pierre said. &#8220;Throughout her ordeal, we saw Brittney, a two-time Olympic gold medalist for team USA, demonstrate strength, courage, and dignity. As the president said this morning, she represents the best of America.&#8221;
Jean-Pierre said that the U.S. government secured her release after many months of &#8220;painstaking negotiations&#8221; in which the administration bent over backward to get the deal done.
&#8220;Brittney is more than an athlete, more than an Olympian, she is an important role model and inspiration to millions of Americans, particularly the LGBTQI+ Americans and women of color,&#8221; Jean-Pierre said. &#8220;She should never have been detained by Russia. And we are, I am, deeply proud of the work that the president has done, this administration has done, to get her home.&#8221;
WATCH:
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Karine Jean-Pierre on why the White House was able to bring Griner home but not former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan:
“Unfortunately, the choice became to either bring Brittney home or no one.”
Weak. <a href="https://t.co/Gw2CeJJQBa">pic.twitter.com/Gw2CeJJQBa</a>
&mdash; Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) <a href="https://twitter.com/stillgray/status/1600937673149288449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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TRANSCRIPT:
<blockquote>KARINE JEAN-PIERRE, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: President Biden keeps his promises. And today he fulfilled a deeply important promise to bring Brittney Griner home to a family that loves her, a team that misses her, and a country that has marveled at her strength and courage. Brittney&#8217;s safe return home is the product of months and months of painstaking negotiations that were the culmination of extraordinary efforts across the U.S. government. Officials from the White House, the State Department and across the administration work tirelessly and relentlessly to see this moment through. As the Secretary of State said publicly in July, we have been engaging in intense negotiations with Russia, pursuing many different avenues over the course of the last six months to secure Brittney&#8217;s release, and we know Brittney fought tirelessly, too. Throughout her ordeal, we saw Brittney, a two time Olympic gold medalist for team USA, demonstrate strength, courage, and dignity. As the President said this morning, she represents the best of America.
I had the opportunity to speak to Cherelle Griner a couple of hours ago, who was looking forward to seeing Brittney as soon as she returned home later today. Cherelle, who herself has handled Brittany&#8217;s detention with incredible strength, asked me to communicate once again her sincere gratitude to everyone in the administration, and in their broader, in their own broader support network, who made this day possible. She also wanted to reinforce the commitment she and Cherelle have made to stand up and speak out for other Americans wrongfully detained abroad. While we&#8217;re celebrating Brittney&#8217;s return home today, we have also continued to be in touch with the Whelan family for whom this news brings mixed emotions. In recent weeks, it became clear that while Russians were willing to reach an agreement to secure Brittney&#8217;s release, they continue to treat Paul Whelan differently given the nature of the totally illegitimate charges they have levied against Paul. Unfortunately, the choice became to either bring Brittney home or no one. As the President said this morning, he will never stop working to secure Paul&#8217;s release and return home and he will not give up. On a personal note, Brittney is more than an athlete, more than an Olympian, she is an important role model and inspiration to millions of Americans, particularly the LGBTQI+ Americans and women of color. She should never have been detained by Russia. And we are, I am, deeply proud of the work that the President has done, this administration has done, to get her home.</blockquote>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/wnba-star-brittney-griner-freed-from-russian-prison-in-swap-for-arms-dealer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WNBA Star Brittney Griner Freed From Russian Prison In Swap For Arms Dealer</a>

KJP Gushes Over Griner’s Release: An ‘Important Role Model’ For ‘LGBTQI+ Americans And Women Of Color’

Karine Jean-Pierre

Dallas Cowboy Micah Parsons quickly reversed course, apologizing after slamming President Joe Biden in the wake of the prisoner swap that secured WNBA star <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/wnba-star-brittney-griner-freed-from-russian-prison-in-swap-for-arms-dealer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brittney Griner&#8217;s release</a>.
Parsons, upon learning that Russia was trading Griner for international arms dealer Viktor &#8220;Merchant of Death&#8221; Bout — and that Marine veteran Paul Whelan was being left behind in a Russian prison — <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/hell-nah-dallas-cowboy-has-strong-reaction-to-brittney-griner-swap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lashed out</a> at the Biden administration for failing to secure Whelan&#8217;s release as well.
&#8220;Wait nah!! We left a marine?!! Hell nah,&#8221; Parsons tweeted.
But a short time later, apparently upon learning more about the context of the prisoner exchange, Parsons tweeted his apology and said that he should not have allowed his emotions to get the best of him.
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then the best outcome was accomplished. I pray Mr. Whelan comes home but am extremely happy for Brittney and her family. I am not too prideful to admit when I’ve made a mistake.
&mdash; Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) <a href="https://twitter.com/MicahhParsons11/status/1600870691326554112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Just spoke to some people that I respect and trust. I should have been more educated on the topic and not tweeted out of emotion for my family and other (sic) who have served. For that I apologize,&#8221; Parsons began, adding that he had also learned more about the Biden administration&#8217;s efforts to bring Whelan home.
&#8220;Also if what I’m told about the attempts to bring Ret Marine Paul Whelan home are true, then the best outcome was accomplished,&#8221; he added. &#8220;I pray Mr. Whelan comes home but am extremely happy for Brittney and her family. I am not too prideful to admit when I’ve made a mistake.&#8221;
Whelan also <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/news/just-in-paul-whelan-says-hes-greatly-disappointed-brittney-griner-prisoner-swap-didnt-secure-his-release-too/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spoke to CNN</a> — from the Russian prison where he is serving a 16-year sentence for espionage — about the exchange. He told the outlet&#8217;s Jennifer Hansler that he was &#8220;greatly disappointed&#8221; that the final deal had not included him.
The Marine veteran, who has always maintained his innocence, told CNN that in the weeks leading up to Thursday&#8217;s announcement, he had actually begun to believe there was hope that his release would be part of the arrangement.
Whelan&#8217;s brother, David, also released a statement on the exchange, noting that the family had at least been warned ahead of Thursday&#8217;s announcement that Paul would not be a part of the deal — and said that while they were certainly happy to see one wrongfully imprisoned American go free, they were still devastated that he was left behind.

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‘I Should Have Been More Educated’: Dallas Cowboy Walks Back Biden Slam Over Griner Case

Dallas Cowboy Micah Parsons Walks Back Biden Slam Over Griner Case

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