Biden meets Griner, Whelan families at White House
2 years, 3 months ago

Biden meets Griner, Whelan families at White House

Al Jazeera  

Families are pushing US to secure release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and former US marine Paul Whelan, held in Russia. US President Joe Biden has met with the families of basketball star Brittney Griner and former marine Paul Whelan, amid continuing efforts in Washington to secure two American citizens’ release from detention in Russia. Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said earlier this week that Biden hoped the face-to-face talks will show the families “that they remain front of mind” for the United States administration. Earlier on Friday, a White House National Security Council spokesman said negotiations with Moscow to secure the two Americans’ release are continuing.

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History of this topic

Biden secured Russian captives' freedom 'an hour before' he announced he was dropping out
5 months, 1 week ago

Biden secured Russian captives' freedom 'an hour before' he announced he was dropping out

Raw Story  

President Joe Biden finalized the deal to get Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan released from Russian captivity about an hour before he announced he was ending his re-election campaign. The eventual prisoner swap that saw Gershkovich and Whelan returned to the U.S. took place five months after the death of Russian opposition leader …

US ambassador visits American Paul Whelan at Russian prison
1 year, 8 months ago

US ambassador visits American Paul Whelan at Russian prison

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Brittney Griner gets emotional discussing Russian detainment
1 year, 8 months ago

Brittney Griner gets emotional discussing Russian detainment

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Hope bounced around Brittney Griner like a buoy and an anchor. “A LOT of media in here today.” Griner gained international attention in February 2022, when she was arrested after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. “I’m no stranger to hard times,” Griner said, fighting back tears. “Walking around town …

US had ‘direct conversations’ with Russia on Paul Whelan since Griner’s release, State Department says
2 years ago

US had ‘direct conversations’ with Russia on Paul Whelan since Griner’s release, State Department says

CNN  

CNN — US officials “have had direct conversations with Russian officials regarding Paul Whelan,” an American wrongfully detained in Russia, since the release of fellow wrongfully detained American Brittney Griner, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Tuesday. Whelan, who called CNN exclusively from his remote penal colony in the hours following Griner’s release, said he hoped President Joe Biden and …

US marks anniversary of Paul Whelan’s detention in Russia
2 years ago

US marks anniversary of Paul Whelan’s detention in Russia

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is marking the four-year anniversary of the detention in Russia of American businessman Paul Whelan, whose continued imprisonment is one of several major irritants in tattered relations between Washington and Moscow. Blinken said Whelan and his family are “suffering through an unfathomable ordeal” and he again condemned the American’s conviction, which was based on secret …

Brittney Griner asks supporters to advocate for Paul Whelan
2 years ago

Brittney Griner asks supporters to advocate for Paul Whelan

Associated Press  

Brittney Griner has asked her supporters in a social media post to advocate for Paul Whelan, a former Marine serving a 16-year prison term in Russia for espionage charges the United States are baseless. The U.S. had sought to secure the release of both Whelan and Griner — the WNBA star detained at a Moscow airport in February for having …

Brittney Griner says she’ll play basketball in Arizona again
2 years ago

Brittney Griner says she’ll play basketball in Arizona again

Associated Press  

Brittney Griner said she’s “grateful” to be back in the United States and plans on playing basketball again next season for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. After months of strained negotiations, and an extraordinarily rare public revelation by the Biden administration that it had made a “substantial proposal” to bring home Griner and another detained American, Paul Whelan, the case resolved …

White House casts doubt on claims that Trump administration tried to free Paul Whelan
2 years ago

White House casts doubt on claims that Trump administration tried to free Paul Whelan

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Although members of Mr Whelan’s family were able to secure at least one meeting …

Brittney Griner undecided on WNBA return, agent says
2 years ago

Brittney Griner undecided on WNBA return, agent says

The Hindu  

When, or if, Brittney Griner plans to return to the WNBA and the Phoenix Mercury, is undecided, her agent told ESPN. Lindsay Kagawa Colas, speaking about Griner’s first days since her release from a Russian penal colony, said Griner grabbed a basketball on Sunday for the first time since she was taken into custody in February. Griner was released from …

US basketball star Brittney Griner arrives home after Russia prisoner swap
2 years, 1 month ago

US basketball star Brittney Griner arrives home after Russia prisoner swap

Firstpost  

Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, WNBA champion and LGBTQ trailblazer, was arrested at a Moscow airport against a backdrop of soaring tensions over Ukraine. Washington: American basketball star Brittney Griner arrived in the United States Friday morning after she was released from a Russian prison in exchange for an arms dealer known as the “Merchant of Death.” Griner, 32, …

Griner swap wasn’t all US hoped for, but what it could get
2 years, 1 month ago

Griner swap wasn’t all US hoped for, but what it could get

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s surprise announcement last July lacked any detail, but its meaning was crystal clear. In a rare comment on secret talks, he said the Biden administration had made a “substantial proposal” to Russia to end the imprisonment of two Americans: WNBA star Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. “For totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is treating …

How Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison puts the spotlight on Paul Whelan
2 years, 1 month ago

How Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison puts the spotlight on Paul Whelan

Firstpost  

Paul Whelan, a former Marine who became a corporate security executive, was arrested at a Moscow hotel in December 2018 and accused of spying. He was convicted in June 2020 on espionage charges, which the US government says were manufactured The release on Thursday of Brittney Griner, the American basketball star imprisoned in Russia, also puts a spotlight on Paul …

Brittney Griner heads back to US after release from Russia in prisoner swap
2 years, 1 month ago

Brittney Griner heads back to US after release from Russia in prisoner swap

Firstpost  

Brittney Griner, who was arrested in Russia in February on drug charges, and Viktor Bout, who was serving a 25-year sentence in a US prison, were exchanged at an airport in Abu Dhabi. American basketball star Brittney Griner was headed back to the United States on Thursday after being released from a Russian prison in exchange for an arms dealer …

Explained: Why Brittney Griner's swap isn't the deal the US wanted
2 years, 1 month ago

Explained: Why Brittney Griner's swap isn't the deal the US wanted

Firstpost  

The Joe Biden administration made a ‘substantial proposal’ to Russia to free two Americans, WNBA star Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. In a rare comment on secret talks, he said the Biden administration had made a “substantial proposal” to Russia to end the imprisonment of two Americans: WNBA star Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. “For totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is …

Griner freed: WNBA star swapped for Russian, heads home
2 years, 1 month ago

Griner freed: WNBA star swapped for Russian, heads home

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — American basketball star Brittney Griner headed home Thursday night, freed from Russian prison in exchange for the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in the culmination of an eight-month saga of high diplomacy and dashed hopes. “She’s safe, she’s on a plane, she’s on her way home,” Biden said from the White House, where he was …

Brittney Griner back on U.S. soil after Russian prisoner swap
2 years, 1 month ago

Brittney Griner back on U.S. soil after Russian prisoner swap

LA Times  

WNBA star Brittney Griner deplanes in San Antonio on Friday after her release in a prisoner swap with Russia. Asked whether more such swaps could happen, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that “everything is possible,” noting that “compromises have been found” to clear the way for Thursday’s exchange. Biden’s authorization to release Bout, the Russian felon once nicknamed “the …

Putin, secret talks and the 'Merchant of Death': US basketball star Brittney Griner's long road to freedom from a Russian penal colony
2 years, 1 month ago

Putin, secret talks and the 'Merchant of Death': US basketball star Brittney Griner's long road to freedom from a Russian penal colony

ABC  

When US basketball star Brittney Griner was taken from a Russian penal colony and flown to Abu Dhabi, America's chief hostage negotiator was waiting for her on the tarmac. Joe Biden's agonising decision US officials were hopeful that the Kremlin wanted Bout badly enough that it would be willing to exchange him for both Griner and Whelan. A White House …

'Devastated' family of American prisoner backs Griner deal
2 years, 1 month ago

'Devastated' family of American prisoner backs Griner deal

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The family of an American detained in Russia for nearly …

Paul Whelan was left behind in Brittney Griner swap — here's why it's so hard to get him out of Russia
2 years, 1 month ago

Paul Whelan was left behind in Brittney Griner swap — here's why it's so hard to get him out of Russia

Raw Story  

This week, President Joe Biden managed to broker a prisoner swap with Russia, allowing the release of basketball star Brittney Griner in exchange for Russia being handed Viktor Bout, an arms trafficker known as the "merchant of death." On Thursday's edition of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," reporter Andrea Mitchell detailed the key reason why it has been so hard for the …

Republicans slam Biden for putting American lives at risk with Griner prisoner swap
2 years, 1 month ago

Republicans slam Biden for putting American lives at risk with Griner prisoner swap

Daily Mail  

Republicans on Thursday accused Joe Biden of putting American lives at risk with news that basketball star Brittney Griner had been released from Russian prison in a prisoner swap. Republicans said the deal to free Griner showed the Biden administration favoured celebrities over veterans such as Whelan, a former Marine imprisoned on espionage charges Hours earlier, President Joe Biden announced …

Russia frees US basketball star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout
2 years, 1 month ago

Russia frees US basketball star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout

Raw Story  

Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, American officials said. Even so, the fact that the deal was a one-for-one swap was a surprise given that U.S. officials had for months expressed their their determination to bring home both Griner and Paul Whelan, …

WNBA star Griner freed in prisoner swap; US releases Russian arms dealer Bout
2 years, 1 month ago

WNBA star Griner freed in prisoner swap; US releases Russian arms dealer Bout

The Hindu  

Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, American officials said. Even so, the fact that the deal was a one-for-one swap was a surprise given that U.S. officials had for months expressed their their determination to bring home both Griner and Paul Whelan, …

‘She’s on a plane home’: Biden on Brittney Griner released from Russian custody
2 years, 1 month ago

‘She’s on a plane home’: Biden on Brittney Griner released from Russian custody

The Hindu  

Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic prisoner exchange, as the U.S. released notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout but failed to win freedom for another American, Paul Whelan, who has been jailed for nearly four years. “She’s safe, she’s on a plane, she’s on her way home,” Biden said from the White House, where he …

December 8, 2022 Brittney Griner and Russia-Ukraine news
2 years, 1 month ago

December 8, 2022 Brittney Griner and Russia-Ukraine news

CNN  

In the days leading to Brittney Griner’s release, US officials grew increasingly convinced it was no longer a matter of if, but when. That reality was the driver behind an invitation to Brittney’s wife Cherelle Griner earlier this week to come to the White House early Thursday morning, according to a senior administration official. The invitation was to meet with …

Exclusive: Paul Whelan tells CNN he is ‘disappointed’ that more has not been done to secure his release
2 years, 1 month ago

Exclusive: Paul Whelan tells CNN he is ‘disappointed’ that more has not been done to secure his release

CNN  

Washington CNN — Detained American Paul Whelan expressed his frustration that more has not been done to secure his release in an exclusive CNN interview hours after another detained American, Brittney Griner, was freed. Whelan said he would like to speak to Biden directly, noting he had spoken to an administration official earlier in the day about the situation, but …

WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russian detention in prisoner swap for convicted arms dealer
2 years, 1 month ago

WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russian detention in prisoner swap for convicted arms dealer

CNN  

Washington CNN — WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russian detention, President Joe Biden said Thursday. Asked when Griner would be home following his remarks, Biden indicated it would be in the next “24 hours.” As for what he would say to Whelan’s family, he said, “We’re speaking to them.” Cherelle Griner thanked the administration for helping secure …

Biden vows to bring longtime detainee Paul Whelan home from Russia too
2 years, 1 month ago

Biden vows to bring longtime detainee Paul Whelan home from Russia too

NPR  

Biden vows to bring longtime detainee Paul Whelan home from Russia too Enlarge this image toggle caption Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images As the Biden administration celebrates the homecoming of one prominent American detained in Russia — basketball star Brittney Griner — it's pledging to continue working to secure the release of another who's been …

Brittney Griner freed from Russian penal colony in high-level prisoner swap
2 years, 1 month ago

Brittney Griner freed from Russian penal colony in high-level prisoner swap

LA Times  

Brittney Griner on the plane headed for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where the prisoner swap took place Thursday. “This is a day we’ve worked toward for a long time,” Biden said from the White House, alongside Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. “The Biden administration made the right decision to …

Griner’s release raises fresh concerns about fate of Paul Whelan
2 years, 1 month ago

Griner’s release raises fresh concerns about fate of Paul Whelan

Al Jazeera  

As US welcomes release of basketball star Brittney Griner, calls grow to free other US citizen detained in Russia. But the release of Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, in a prisoner exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was serving a 25-year sentence in a US prison, effectively separates her fate from Whelan’s. Whelan expresses disappointment In July, …

WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russia in prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout
2 years, 1 month ago

WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russia in prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout

New York Times  

After being detained for nine months, WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russia and will return to the United States to be reunited with her family, President Joe Biden announced. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT — President Biden December 8, 2022 What they’re saying Biden, who appeared with Vice President Kamala Harris and Griner’s wife, Cherelle, said it “took painstaking and intense …

WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison
2 years, 1 month ago

WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison

NPR  

WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison Enlarge this image toggle caption Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool/AFP via Getty Images Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool/AFP via Getty Images President Biden says WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison. Standing along side Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, at the White House, Biden said it was a day that "we worked …

American in Russia who could be part of prisoner swap resumes contact, family says
2 years, 1 month ago

American in Russia who could be part of prisoner swap resumes contact, family says

LA Times  

U.S. citizen Paul Whelan was convicted of spying by a Moscow court in June 2020. The family of Paul Whelan, an American imprisoned in Russia for espionage, said Friday that he has resumed contact after unexpectedly becoming unreachable in November. Various U.S. news organizations have reported that Washington has offered to exchange Griner and Whelan for Viktor Bout, a Russian …

Russian diplomat says prisoner swap with US remains possible
2 years, 1 month ago

Russian diplomat says prisoner swap with US remains possible

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — Russia and the United States have repeatedly been on the verge of agreement on a prisoner exchange, a senior Russian diplomat said Tuesday, adding that a deal is still possible before the year’s end. Asked by reporters whether a swap is possible before the year’s end, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, responded: “There always is a chance.” …

Russia is NOT willing to engage Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan prisoner swap, says security adviser,
2 years, 1 month ago

Russia is NOT willing to engage Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan prisoner swap, says security adviser,

Daily Mail  

Russian government officials have not shown any willingness to engage with the United States on discussions about prisoner swaps involving American basketball star Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan, both of whom are being held in the country. President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin will show more willingness to negotiate on Griner and …

Biden hopes Putin will negotiate WNBA star Griner’s release
2 years, 2 months ago

Biden hopes Putin will negotiate WNBA star Griner’s release

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin will be more willing to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner now that the U.S. midterm elections are over. “Every minute that Brittney Griner must endure wrongful detention in Russia is a minute too long,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “As we …

With midterm elections over, Biden hopes Putin will negotiate for Griner’s release
2 years, 2 months ago

With midterm elections over, Biden hopes Putin will negotiate for Griner’s release

LA Times  

WNBA star Brittney Griner speaks to her lawyers while standing in a courtroom cage before a July hearing just outside Moscow. President Biden said Wednesday that he hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin will be more willing to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner now that the U.S. midterm elections are over. The eight-time all-star center with the WNBA’s …

US Embassy officials visit Brittney Griner in Russia prison
2 years, 2 months ago

US Embassy officials visit Brittney Griner in Russia prison

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Officials at the U.S. …

US embassy officials visit Brittney Griner in Russian prison
2 years, 2 months ago

US embassy officials visit Brittney Griner in Russian prison

Al Jazeera  

A White House spokeswoman says the jailed US basketball star is ‘doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances’. Officials from the US embassy in Moscow have met with imprisoned American basketball star Brittney Griner, the Biden administration said, vowing to continue to push for her release. US officials during the meeting saw “Griner’s tenacity and perseverance despite …

Biden Promises U.S. Is 'Not Stopping' Effort To Free Brittney Griner
2 years, 2 months ago

Biden Promises U.S. Is 'Not Stopping' Effort To Free Brittney Griner

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING President Joe Biden vowed Tuesday that his administration will continue its efforts to free American basketball star Brittney Griner, who’s been saddled with a nine-year prison sentence in Russia despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring her home. “We are in constant contact with Russian authorities to get Brittney and others out,” Biden said at a press briefing, …

U.S.A working to bring Griner home after ‘sham’ Russian hearing: National security adviser Jake Sullivan
2 years, 2 months ago

U.S.A working to bring Griner home after ‘sham’ Russian hearing: National security adviser Jake Sullivan

The Hindu  

The United States will continue to engage with Russia to bring home jailed U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said, after a Russian court on Tuesday upheld her nine-year drug sentence. "We are aware of the news out of Russia that Brittney Griner will continue to be wrongfully detained under intolerable circumstances after having …

Russian court hears appeal by WNBA player Griner against 9-year sentence
2 years, 2 months ago

Russian court hears appeal by WNBA player Griner against 9-year sentence

The Hindu  

A Russian court on Tuesday started hearing American basketball star Brittney Griner’s appeal against her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession. Griner, an eight-time all-star centre with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and a two-time Olympic gold medallist, was convicted Aug. 4 after police said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. Reflecting growing …

Russian court hears appeal by Griner against 9-year sentence
2 years, 2 months ago

Russian court hears appeal by Griner against 9-year sentence

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Russian court on Tuesday …

Biden admin has been in touch with Russia in recent days as part of efforts to secure Griner and Whelan’s release
2 years, 2 months ago

Biden admin has been in touch with Russia in recent days as part of efforts to secure Griner and Whelan’s release

CNN  

CNN — The Biden administration has had communications with Russia to try and secure the release of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan “as recently as within past days” said a senior administration official, speaking to CNN on Griner’s 32nd birthday, which she will be spending in a Russian jail. Despite the “pretty persistent” pace of discussions between the US and …

No movement on release of Brittney Griner from Russia, Biden says
2 years, 2 months ago

No movement on release of Brittney Griner from Russia, Biden says

Al Jazeera  

President Joe Biden said he would meet with Vladimir Putin if the Russian leader was willing to discuss Griner’s case. United States President Joe Biden has said there has been no movement with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the release of American basketball star Brittney Griner. “But, for example, if he came to me at the G20 and said, ‘I …

US President Joe Biden meets with families of Russia-detained Paul Whelan, Brittney Griner at White House
2 years, 3 months ago

US President Joe Biden meets with families of Russia-detained Paul Whelan, Brittney Griner at White House

Firstpost  

Joe Biden’s meetings with the families were not an indication that negotiations with Russia for their release have reached a breakthrough. Washington: President Joe Biden met Friday with family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another American detained in Russia, Paul Whelan, the first face-to-face encounter that the president has had with the relatives. In a statement after the …

Biden meets with families of Whelan, Griner at White House
2 years, 3 months ago

Biden meets with families of Whelan, Griner at White House

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden met Friday with family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another American detained in Russia, Paul Whelan, the first face-to-face encounter that the president has had with the relatives. In a statement after the meetings, which were held separately, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden stressed to the families his “continued commitment …

Biden meets with the families of Russia detainees Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan
2 years, 3 months ago

Biden meets with the families of Russia detainees Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan

NPR  

Biden meets with the families of Russia detainees Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan Enlarge this image toggle caption Evgenia Novozhenina/AP Evgenia Novozhenina/AP President Biden met on Friday with the families of WNBA star Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan, who are being held in Russia under what the administration has called "intolerable circumstances." "The President held the meetings to …

Griner, Whelan families to meet Biden amid US-Russia talks
2 years, 3 months ago

Griner, Whelan families to meet Biden amid US-Russia talks

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden plans to meet at the White House on Friday with family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom remain jailed in Russia, the White House announced Thursday. Since then, U.S officials have continued to press that offer in hopes of getting serious negotiations underway, and have …

Brittney Griner’s, Paul Whelan’s families meet with President Biden at White House: Reports
2 years, 3 months ago

Brittney Griner’s, Paul Whelan’s families meet with President Biden at White House: Reports

New York Times  

President Joe Biden met with family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom are Americans detained in Russian prisons, at the White House on Friday, according to multiple reports. Biden first met with Elizabeth Whelan, the sister of Paul Whelan, then with Cherelle Griner, the wife of Brittney Griner, and Griner’s agent …

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