President Biden—White House Pursuing ‘Every Avenue’ To Get Brittney Griner Released From Russia

President Biden—White House Pursuing ‘Every Avenue’ To Get Brittney Griner Released From Russia

President Joe Biden is finally advocating for the safe release of WNBA star Brittney Griner.

During a conversation with Cherelle Griner, Brittney Griner’s wife, President Joe Biden assured her that the White House is pursuing “every avenue” to bring the professional athlete home. Following weeks of pleading to speak with the president, Cherelle Griner was finally able to hear from him and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Brittney Griner, Cherelle Griner

“The President called Cherelle to reassure her that he is working to secure Brittney’s release as soon as possible.”

In addition to the phone call, President Joe Biden reportedly directed his national security team to “remain in regular contact with Cherelle and Brittney’s family,” along with other families of other Americans held captive or wrongfully detained abroad. This comes in an effort to keep everyone updated on efforts to secure the release of their loved ones as quickly as possible.

Brittney Griner & Wife Cherelle Griner

As previously reported, Brittney Griner was unjustly detained in Russia in February. Vape cartridges were allegedly discovered when Russian police searched her luggage at a Moscow airport. The cartridges allegedly contained cannabis oil, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked by a journalist about criticism of President Biden voiced by Brittney Griner‘s coach. According to the coach: “If it was Lebron, he’d be home, right?”

Karine Jean-Pierre replied,

“This is a president who has put all of the things that you just laid out—the LGBTQ community, women, people of color—he has fought for those communities throughout his career and you have seen that in policies that he has put forward.”

She added,

“This is a priority for this president. He’s doing everything that he can.”

Brittney herself previously penned an open letter to President Biden, pleading for him to finally intervene and help bring her home. In part, she wrote,

“… as I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever.”

She added,

“I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.”

"Every single day matters … to make sure that she comes back."

Cherelle Griner, the wife of WNBA superstar Brittney Griner, who has been detained in a Russian prison for nearly 100 days, speaks to @robinroberts about the fight to bring her home. https://t.co/A7bpCs5jQp pic.twitter.com/Yv8GFk5hfW

— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 25, 2022

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