President Biden speaks to wife of Brittney Griner, drafts letter to send WNBA star detained in Russia
‘He takes this to heart’: Biden has read Brittney Griner’s letter, White House says
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 White House said.
Biden is facing increasing pressure to help Griner, who has been held in custody in Russia for 139 days following an arrest on charges of possessing cannabis oil while returning to play for a Russian team. Nearly 1,200 prominent Black women signed a letter this week urging Biden to “make a deal to get Brittney back home swiftly and safely and to meet with Brittney’s wife Cherelle immediately.”
Biden’s letter is in response to a hand-written letter from Brittney Griner’s representatives that was passed on to the White House Monday expressing fear that she might stay in prison in Russia forever. In her letter, she called on Biden to get her and others who are detained in Russia home.
″As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” Griner wrote. “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.”
Phoenix Mercury coach says Brittney Griner’s detainment would be resolved ‘if it was LeBron’
Cherelle Griner, in a Tuesday interview on CBS, said it was “very disheartening” that Biden had not yet responded to Griner’s letter. “I will not be quiet anymore,” she said.
Phoenix Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard has criticized the U.S. response to Griner’s detainment, arguing if Griner were a male athlete like NBA star LeBron James, she would be back home. Nygaard said Biden calling Cherelle Griner was “fantastic news” in an interview on MSNBC.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that the president read Griner’s letter and “takes this to heart.”
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have had previous other calls with Cherelle Griner including this past weekend. Biden has directed his national security team to remain in regular contact with the Griner family, according to the White House, to provide updates on efforts to secure Brittney Griney’s release “as quickly as possible.”
Contributing: Rebecca Morin, Associated Press
Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison