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Cowboys Micah Parsons wasn’t pleased with the news about the USA’s negotiations with Russia to bring Brittney Griner home.
On Thursday morning, it was reported that Russia would free Griner in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout, better known as the merchant of death.
BREAKING: Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who was sentenced to prison in Russia, has been freed in a prisoner-swap and is now in US custody, a US official tells @CBSNews.
— Steven Portnoy (@stevenportnoy) December 8, 2022
Via CBS
Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who was held for months in Russian prisons on drug charges, was released Thursday in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout, CBS News learned early Thursday from a U.S. official. The one-for-one exchange agreement negotiated with Moscow in recent weeks was given final approval by President Biden within just the last week, according to sources familiar with the deal. The swap, first reported by CBS News, took place on Thursday in the United Arab Emirates.
Five former U.S. officials told CBS News the agreement had been reached as of last Thursday.
Unfortunately, marine Paul Whelan, who has been in a Russian jail for over 4 years for espionage, was not included in the prisoner exchange and will remain in Russia.
MORE: Sources tell @CBSNews that news reports that the US proposed a 2-for-1 swap (Griner & Wheelan / Bout) were incorrect, and that in fact, the US had offered a 2-for-2. The Russians insisted on 1-for-1.
— Steven Portnoy (@stevenportnoy) December 8, 2022
Biden says that for some unknown reason Russia is treating Paul Whelan's case "differently." "We'll keep negotiating in good faith for Paul's release." He says he's guaranteed the Whelan family of that.
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) December 8, 2022
Biden: “We have not forgotten about Paul Whelan. This was not a choice about which American to release.
Russia is treating Paul’s case differently … we are not giving up.” pic.twitter.com/4kpqt3KCDg
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) December 8, 2022
Parsons, who has several family members in the military, was angry Whelan was not included in the swap and voiced his displeasure with the Biden administration on social media.
Wait nah!! We left a marine?!! Hell nah https://t.co/3AeQx8K9OZ
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) December 8, 2022
https://twitter.com/MicahhParsons11/status/1600850819783753728
My last tweet was no shot at Brittney Griner. I’m super happy she’s back home as she should be. I just have family who have served and it’s crazy to me the President wouldn’t bring him home too. I’m the furthest thing from a trump supporter but I’m not a fan of Biden either.
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) December 8, 2022
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.
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) December 8, 2022
Update: The Whelan family released a statement congratulating Griner and stating that the Biden administration made the right decision to Russia up on their off instead of dragging a deal out.
NEW from the Whelan family: "There is no greater success than for a wrongful detainee to be freed & for them to go home. The Biden Admin made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home, & to make the deal that was possible, rather than waiting for one that wasn't going to..”
— Nick Kalman (@NickKalmanFN) December 8, 2022