President Biden made the controversial decision to swap a Russian arms dealer for American basketball star Brittney Griner, whom Russia had imprisoned on drug charges. Critics complained that Biden’s swap left U.S. Marine veteran Paul Whelan behind in Russian custody. Whelan told CNN on Thursday that he was “greatly disappointed” not to have been freed. The White House celebrated Griner’s release, calling her “an important role model and inspiration to millions of Americans, particularly the LGBTQI+ Americans and women of color.”
