Pelosi Statement on the Release of Brittney Griner

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Link to tweet

https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/12822-4

Pelosi Statement on the Release of Brittney Griner
DECEMBER 8, 2022 PRESS RELEASE
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement after the Biden Administration successfully secured the release of Brittney Griner from Russian custody:

“Congress and the Country are overjoyed to learn that, thanks to the committed and focused leadership of President Biden, Brittney Griner is finally free. Today, our hearts are with her dear wife, Cherelle, and the entire Griner family as their beloved Brittney is safely on her way back to America and will be home for the holidays.

“For nearly ten long months, Brittney Griner suffered unthinkable trauma as she was wrongfully imprisoned by the Russian government. Putin’s cruelty against Brittney – and his monstrous actions against Ukraine – are staggering reminders of his brazen contempt for human rights, human dignity and the rule of law.

“President Biden, Secretary Blinken and the many hard-working national security professionals are to be commended for their tireless, steadfast work to bring Brittney home. I want to also commend Congressman Greg Stanton of Arizona for his persistence in helping secure her release. Congress stands firmly with the Administration as they continue working to secure the release of Paul Whelan and other Americans unjustly detained in Russia.”

[dchill]

1. Kick for everyone who worked for her release.

[niyad]

2. KNR

[peacebuzzard]

3. thank you for this post! Simply beautiful day!

[rampartc]

4. glad she is free and thanks to those who made it possible but

before you go to a foreign country be sure that you know enough not to break their laws. the u s constitution does not apply outside our borders.

[Johnny2X2X]

5. Sounds like she made an honest mistake

She had a busy travel schedule and left her weed cartridge in her suitcase. She'd been to Russia before to play basketball, probably didn't think much of it. But yeah, you need to follow the laws of the countries you go to. Russia sentenced her to 9 years to make her a bargaining chip. She made a mistake, glad she's coming home.

There are other prisoners they have we need back too. The school teacher that got 12 years for 19 grams of weed knowingly broke their laws, he was warned not to bring weed, but thought he could get away with it. He needs to come home too, but that's going to take time.

And Paul Whelan is complicated. We offered an asset for him earlier in the year, but they gave us another ex Marine instead. And we wanted him in this deal but Russia flat out refused, it was a non starter. Russia has other people they want for Whelan. Hopefully this is coming soon, but Whelan was in Russia with 4 passports, which is weird and the reason they probably think he is a legit spy. Heck, he might actually be a spy, but we want him home regardless. Russia really wants to hold Whelan, they wouldn't include him in either of the swaps this year.

[rampartc]

6. it is the kind of honest mistake that could have had her jailed in louisiana.

and i'm not sure our leaders would be as easy to bargain with as putin.

whelan is a different case, and i'm not sure he is not a spy. either way, he will eventually be traded for something.

[Johnny2X2X]

7. Here's the thing

Whether she remembered packing it or not, I don't know. But she was playing in a basketball league that Russians were invested in. Probably thought she was under the protection of that league. Might have even brought the cartridges on previous trips with no issues. Russia decided to grab her up because they needed another bargaining chip.

This is another thing Russia is doing to move backwards, this hostage taking is making them persona non grata business wise for years. No one will do business in Russia right now, it's not safe to travel there.

[republianmushroom]

10. yep

[elleng]

8. FABULOUS!!!

[ancianita]

9. FB statement from VP Kamala Harris

While we celebrate Brittney’s homecoming, we remain committed to seeing Paul Whelan released.
We will not relent in our efforts until Paul is home with family.
We will not stop working to bring home every U.S. citizen wrongfully detained.

All praise to our leaders!

[justgamma]

12. The wingnuts

think that since we couldn't get them both that Biden should have said "never mind, keep her". They are making a big deal out of it. They really bend over backwards to find fault.

[ancianita]

13. It's in their

double standard playbook: perfection demanded of thee, nothing but corruption expected of me.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

14. VP Harris has been doing an amazing job as Vice President

[ancianita]

15. Indeed, she is.

If anyone can learn how to run the longest standing democracy on the planet, it's this former AG from the 6th largest economy on the planet.

No one will even come close when she makes her move toward the presidency.

[Hekate]

11. 🌺🌺🌺🌺. What a relief for Brittany and her family. Russia uses people as pawns, without mercy...

Last edited Thu Dec 8, 2022, 02:42 PM - Edit history (1)

I’ll always suspect she was essentially framed, and used for this very purpose: to get back a high-value Russian.

Joe Biden is the best. Quiet, persistent, and gets the job done.

[ancianita]

16. AMEN.