Brittney Griner’s wife called out the President and stated she was not going to be silent over the WNBA superstar being stuck in Russia. Griner’s wife finally received a call from President Joe Biden on Wednesday to talk about getting the WNBA superstar out of Russia, where she has been detained since February.
Cherelle Griner and Biden spoke about the Phoenix Mercury player, the White House said in a release.
On Wednesday, the White House released a statement on the contents of the discussion between President Biden and Cherelle Griner.
“President Biden, joined by Vice President Harris, spoke today with Cherelle Griner, the wife of Brittney Griner who is wrongfully detained in Russia under intolerable circumstances,” a White House readout of the call said. “The President called Cherelle to reassure her that he is working to secure Brittney’s release as soon as possible, as well as the release of Paul Whelan and other U.S. nationals who are wrongfully detained or held hostage in Russia and around the world. He also read her a draft of the letter the President is sending to Brittney today.
“The President offered his support to Cherelle and Brittney’s family, and he committed to ensuring they are provided with all possible assistance while his administration pursues every avenue to bring Brittney home. Today’s call follows calls that National Security Advisor Sullivan and Secretary of State Blinken have had with Cherelle in recent weeks and this past weekend. The President directed his national security team to remain in regular contact with Cherelle and Brittney’s family, and with other families of Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad, to keep them updated on efforts to secure the release of their loved ones as quickly as possible.”
Cherelle had been critical of the White House when she appeared on “CBS Mornings” on Tuesday and said initially she was told to stay quiet while officials worked behind the scenes.
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Griner addressed a letter to Biden and his administration earlier in the week asking U.S. officials not to forget about her and other Americans detained overseas.
Griner pleaded with Biden to use his presidential powers to ensure her return.
“Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020, and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore,” the letter read in part. “I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.”
Griner is in the middle of a trial that began Friday to determine her fate.
