Senator Bob Menendez criticized the prisoner exchange between Russia and the US, which resulted in the release of former professional basketball player Brittney Griner. She was freed as part of a swap for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer.
Senator Bob Menendez welcomed Brittney Griner upon her release. However, he criticized the conditions of the deal that led to her release.
This incident should serve as a moment of reflection for the US government regarding the issue of hostage-taking. Russia and other countries that abduct Americans are not allowed to pretend that there is no difference between Brittney Griner and Viktor Bout, who is also known as the Merchant of Death. It is deeply disturbing that they would release Bout after all these years.
Joining Republicans in criticizing the Biden administration's involvement in the prisoner swap, Senator Bob Menendez criticized the conditions of the deal.
John Bolton, the White House's national security adviser, stated that the prisoner swap was not a trade, and it was an American surrender. Terrorist groups and rogue states were smiling as a result of the deal.
The Bout-for-Griner prisoner swap is not a trade, it's an American surrender. This is not what American strength looks like. Terrorists and rogue states are smiling.
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) December 8, 2022
Republicans criticized the inclusion of Paul Taylor, a US Marine who is reportedly being held by the authorities on suspicion of being a spy.
Senator Jim Risch of Idaho stated that Paul Taylor was a hero who served his country, and he should have been included in the swap. He was treated poorly in Russian prisons, and the Biden administration would do well to remember him following the release of Brittney Griner.
Congressman Adam Kinzinger of Illinois criticized the way the Biden administration handled the situation regarding Paul Taylor. He noted that it has been over four years since the US citizen was seized. Kinzinger called out the weakness of the Biden administration in not doing enough to bring him home.
Exactly 3 years ago today, wrongfully detained Marine Paul Whelan wrote this letter to me. @POTUS @SecBlinken, It’s been over 4 years since his imprisonment. How much longer must his family wait? There is no place for weakness when it comes to lives of innocent Americans. pic.twitter.com/sLd7vnyvq5
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) December 8, 2022
Griner landed in Texas early Friday morning.
Prior to her release, she had been held in a women's prison facility in Mordovia, Russia. She was charged with drug possession after she was found with marijuana oil in her bag.
The preceding is a summary of an article that originally appeared on Washington Examiner.
