Midterm Elections Buzz Paused by Surprise Brittney Griner Statement from White House

The White House has sent out a major statement about Brittney Griner amid the midterm election buzz. The Biden Administration has been working tirelessly to get the WNBA star out of Russia. She was sentenced to nine years in prison by a Russian court under drug possession charges. BG’s recent appeal was denied on October 25 and her verdict was upheld.

Since then, the State Department increased its efforts to secure the Phoenix Mercury center’s release. Moreover, a surprising statement from White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre regarding the ‘continued wrongful detention’ of Brittney Griner has paused the midterm elections chatter.

The customs authorities detained Griner at a Moscow Airport in February. The officers reportedly discovered vape cartridges filled with cannabis oil in her luggage in February. Subsequently, the US government deemed Brittney Griner to be wrongfully detained by the Russian authorities. Many experts reckoned that Griner was being used as a political pawn by Russian president Vladimir Putin. The State Department has offered a prisoner swap deal to bring the eight-time All-Star home.

White House expresses commitment to Brittney Griner

The recent statement assured that the Administration has been working tirelessly to secure Brittney Griner’s release. Moreover, POTUS Joe Biden has also directed them to persuade the Russian authorities to improve Griner’s treatment and the conditions she may be forced to deal within a penal colony. Griner is in the process of being transferred to a Russian penal colony where she will serve her sentence.

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Meanwhile, the statement reiterated that the US government had made a huge offer to the Russians to free the ‘wrongfully detained’ American citizens. However, the Kremlin did not respond to the offer.

Further, the White House revealed that they have continued to follow up on their offer. The State Department also proposed alternative ways ahead despite a lack of good-faith negotiations from Russia. In addition, Karine Jean-Pierre stated, “The US government is unwavering in its commitment to its work on behalf of Brittney and other Americans detained in Russia-including fellow wrongful detainee Paul Whelan.

Thus, the US government has stuck with the term wrongfully detained in Griner and Whelan’s case. The State Department had previously offered a prisoner swap deal for BG and Paul Whelan in exchange for a convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

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The Kremlin has not responded to the offer publicly but has left the doors open for negotiations. Hence, it seems like the current statement is a measure to appease the disappointed people of America before the upcoming mid-term elections.