The release of WNBA star Brittney Griner has yielded divided opinions within the nation. Several political personalities have criticized the decision involving the release of a notorious arms dealer to facilitate Griner’s release from Russia. Their supporting argument has been retired US marine Paul Whelan who remains stuck in the foreign country despite the prisoner swap deal. Recently, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar slammed former POTUS Donald Trump for his controversial take on the prisoner swap deal days after the BG’s return from Russia.

Donald Trump recently took a dig at President Joe Biden and his administration, deeming Griner’s release as a ‘one-sided transaction’. Trump questioned the continued-detainment of Paul Whelan, despite the ex-marine being a part of the initial prisoner swap deal offered by the US. However, Trump’s comments led to widespread criticism as he was the President when Whelan was first detained in Russia in 2018 under espionage charges.

Recently, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar responded to the chatters against Brittney Griner‘s release in a resounding fashion. He harshly condemned Donald Trump on his Substack platform .

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar defends the release of Brittney Griner

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar questioned the contribution of the Republicans in the cause for Whelan’s release since 2018. He pointed out that Trump’s former National Security Adviser, John Bolton, had revealed that the former President had an opportunity to swap Bout for Whelan in 2018. However, he decided against a prisoner swap deal that would have freed the former US marine from Russia four years ago.

Additionally, the Lakers legend demanded that the ‘bitter’ Republicans looking to exploit Brittney Griner’s release should either suggest a solution or ‘step back and let the adults handle it.’ The six-time NBA champ reckoned that it was the fourth time since Griner’s arrest that he had written about her situation.

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And he hoped it would be the last. Kareem added, “I hope to never write about her[Griner] again unless to praise her remarkable basketball skills when she returns to the court.”

Paul Whelan and family welcome Griner’s release

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar pointed out that Paul Whelan was happy about Griner’s release but disappointed by the lack of progress in his situation. He shared that the Whelan family has also supported President Biden’s decision, who has promised to keep fighting for Paul Whelan’s release.

Moreover, the former US marine’s brother David Whelan has also taken a shot at Trump. He claimed that the former president had no sympathy for Paul Whelan.

Unfortunately, the State Department failed to secure Whelan’s release after Russia pushed for a one-for-one prisoner exchange. Thus, the US agreed to release convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange for Brittney Griner.

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As a result, Whelan continues to serve his 16-year sentence in the IK-17 penal colony.