Brittney Griner arrives in U.S. following prisoner swap
Her plane landed in San Antonio, Texas. Griner was freed from Russia in exchange for notorious international arms dealer Viktor Bout.
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Her plane landed in San Antonio, Texas. Griner was freed from Russia in exchange for notorious international arms dealer Viktor Bout.
The State Department this summer added a risk indicator to its travel advisories for Russia and several countries.
Moscow said at the time it wanted "a spy for a spy."
Brittney Griner is back in the U.S. after Russia released her in a prisoner swap. CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes joins Lana Zak and Tanya Rivero with more on Griner's return, President Biden's conversation with Paul Whelan's family, and how the administration is reacting to Senator Kyrsten Sinema leaving the Democratic Party to become an independent.
Elizabeth Whelan said she is pleased to see Brittney Griner come home and that "any wrongfully detained American that comes back from overseas is a win for America."
Paul Whelan's sister Elizabeth Whelan joins "CBS Mornings" to talk about what her brother is facing while being detained in Russia. She also gives her thoughts on Brittney Griner's release and her phone call with President Biden.
After nearly 10 months in Russian prisons, Brittney Griner has landed in the United States as part of a prisoner swap with Russia. CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes has more about her journey and why the Biden administration could not bring home a second American, Paul Whelan, who's been locked up in Russia even longer.
The Biden administration is receiving some criticism for the release of convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout as part of a prisoner swap for WNBA star Brittney Griner. Some U.S. officials are worried about the national security implications of Bout's return to Russia. CBS News chief national affairs and justice correspondent Jeff Pegues discusses the situation.
Marine veteran Paul Whelan remains in Russian prison after WNBA star Brittney Griner was freed in a prisoner swap with Viktor Bout, nicknamed the ""Merchant of Death."" Ryan Fayhee, attorney for the Whelan family, spoke to CBS News on Whelan's condition.
The U.S. House has passed legislation to protect same-sex and interracial marriages. Scott MacFarlane, CBS News congressional correspondent, joined "Red and Blue" to discuss the bill and the latest on Capitol Hill.
News of basketball star Brittney Griner's release from a Russian penal colony as part of a prisoner swap is being met with both praise and criticism from lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The partisan reactions to the news comes at the same time the House formally passed the Respect For Marriage Act, sending the bill to President Biden's desk. CBS News congressional correspondent Scott MacFarlane has the latest from Capitol Hill.
Basketball star Brittney Griner is heading back to the U.S. in a prisoner swap with Russia. In exchange for Griner, the U.S. released Viktor Bout, a convicted arms dealer known as the "Merchant of Death." Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with CBS News senior foreign affairs correspondent and "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan about the decision. Brennan and CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe join "Red and Blue" to discuss the reaction to the deal.
"No more days. She's coming home," the Mercury, Griner's WNBA team, said.
WNBA star Brittney Griner is heading home after 10 months in Russian custody. In his first interview since her release, Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent and "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan about the deal and what this means for other Americans being held abroad.
Brittney Griner's release from a Russian prison reignited the debate over the effectiveness of prisoner swaps.
"How do you continue to survive ... when you know that your government has failed twice to free you from a foreign prison?" he said in a statement.
Paul Whelan, a 52-year-old retired U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has been imprisoned in Russia on espionage charges since his arrest at the end of 2018.
CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe joins the show to discuss what was said about the release of Brittney Griner during Thursday's White House press briefing. He also weighs in on the deal itself and how it's being received.
President Biden spoke at the White House after WNBA star Brittney Griner was released by Russia in a prisoner swap. "She's safe, she's on a plane, she's on her way home," Biden said. He said the U.S. continues to seek the release of another detained American, Paul Whelan. Brittney Griner's wife, Cherelle, also spoke and thanked those who helped negotiate the release. Watch their full remarks in this CBS News Special Report
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said U.S. officials continue to engage Russia over the release of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.
U.S. Embassy officials in Russia visited imprisoned WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for drug possession. The U.S. is trying to get Griner and Marine veteran Paul Whelan released in a prisoner swap.
"We are told she's doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
A Russian court on Tuesday rejected an appeal by WNBA star Brittney Griner of her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession. CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang joins John Dickerson on "Prime Time" to discuss President Biden's response to that news, as well as his latest push for people to get updated COVID-19 booster shots.
Griner has been sentenced for drug possession after vape canisters containing cannabis oil were found in her luggage.
A Russian court has upheld WNBA star Brittney Griner's nine-year prison sentence. CBS News anchors Lana Zak and Lilia Luciano spoke with William E. Pomeranz, director of the Wilson Center's Kennan Institute, about her case and what could happen next.