Brittney Griner Update: Joe Biden Calls Wife of WNBA Star, Reveals Attempts To Bring Brittney Home

United States President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday spoke with the wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner.

Early this week, Biden received a letter from the basketball player, who is indefinitely detained in Russia on alleged drug charges, pleading to fight for her release.

In a statement, the White House said that Biden called Griner's wife Cherelle "to reassure her that he is working to secure Brittney's release" the soonest time possible.

"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," the statement added.

Per CBS News, Biden and Harris' phone call following Cherelle's Tuesday interview with CBS Mornings where she expressed that she was disheartened to have not received a response from the President.

Cherelle Griner said: "It kills me every time that you know when I have to write her and she's asking, 'Have you met with them yet?' And I have to say no... I'm sure she is like 'I'm going to write him and ask now because my family has tried to no avail, so I'm going to do it myself.'"

On Monday, Griner's representatives published excerpts from the basketball star's letter to the media, stating that she is "terrified" that she might be incarcerated in Russia "forever."

Excerpts from Griner's letter reads: "I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don't forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home."

Phoenix Mercury star further stated that she voted for Joe Biden in her first-ever voting experience in 2020 because she believes in him. according to a CNN report.

"I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. 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 said.

A Personal Matter For Pres. Biden

On Tuesday, White House officials confirmed that President Biden has read Griner's handwritten letter and that he "will use every tool" to get Griner and other detainees home. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre underscored that the matter is "very personal" to the US chief executive.

A week before Russia invaded Ukraine, the 31-year-old Griner, who had been playing in Russia during the WNBA's offseason, was detained on February 17 at a Moscow airport. She got charged with smuggling considerable amounts of a narcotic drug, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison, by Russian officials who said she had cannabis oil in her luggage. She was put on trial on Friday in a court close to Moscow.

In light of growing concerns that Griner is being exploited as a political pawn amid escalating tensions between the US and Russia, Griner's supporters and US officials believe that she was illegally imprisoned and have pushed for her freedom.

After being jailed for 130 days, Brittney Griner Russia trial started on July 1. According to the Russian news agency TASS, Griner testified in court that she was aware of the accusations made against her but chose not to enter a plea. Due to the absence of two witnesses, the trial will likely resume on July 7.

Russian officials voiced interest in a prisoner exchange that would involve freeing convicted arms trader Viktor Bout, presently serving a 25-year term, in exchange for Griner. However, the White House would find it tough to justify such deal given the significant disparity between the two offenses.

Supporters Honor Brittney Griner in Phoenix

In additonal Brittney Griner Update, basketball star's friends and supporters held a rally at the Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns' arena, the Footprint Center on Wednesday, to honor her achievements both on and off the court per VOA News.

As many of the Mercury teammates sat together in chairs on the right side of the court, the rally featured dancers, dramatic poem readings, footage of Griner giving back to the community, and other performances.

Several hundred supporters of Griner gathered wearing "BG" shirts and holding signs in the hopes that the WNBA player and concerned authorities would heed their messages.

Attempts to release Griner by the WNBA and American authorities have failed.

Tags

World, Russia, United States, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, WNBA, Phoenix