Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Karine Jean-Pierre Claps Back After Peter Doocy Sneers At Brittney Griner Prisoner Swap

Twitter screenshot of Peter Doocy; Twitter screenshot of Karine Jean-Pierre
@therecount/Twitter

The White House Press Secretary was quick to remind the Fox News reporter that Griner is 'an American citizen.'

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sparred with Fox News reporter Peter Doocy after he suggested Russia got "such a better deal” when the White House secured the release of professional basketball player Brittney Griner in a prisoner exchange with Russia after she was sentenced to nine years on drug smuggling charges.

Jean-Pierre was quick to remind Doocy Griner is "an American citizen" and countered any suggestion Griner should not have been released in exchange for a convicted Russian arms trafficker who had been nicknamed "The Merchant of Death."


You can watch what happened in the video below.

Griner, a professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), was detained by Russian customs after cartridges containing less than an ounce of hashish oil for personal use were found in her luggage.

American officials expressed concern Russia was using her as leverage in response to the Western sanctions imposed against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. News outlets reported over the summer the American government offered to swap Griner and United States Marine Paul Whelan for Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms trafficker.

Ultimately, Russia agreed to swap Griner for Bout, an entrepreneur and former Soviet military translator who reportedly used his multiple air transport companies to smuggle weapons since the collapse of the Soviet Union from Eastern Europe to Africa and the Middle East during the 1990s and early 2000s.

In 2011, Bout was convicted by a jury in a Manhattan federal court of conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens and officials, delivery of anti-aircraft missiles and providing aid to a terrorist organization. He was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment.

These facts enraged right-wingers who suggested Griner deserved to stay in Russia and Democratic President Joe Biden should have prioritized securing the release of Whelan and Marc Fogel, a teacher who was arrested and later sentenced for trying to enter Russia with about half an ounce of medical marijuana he had been prescribed in the U.S. for chronic pain.

When Doocy questioned why Russia had gotten "such a better deal," Jean-Pierre responded:

"Look, I've talked about this and I'll say this again. Here were our choices: Our choice was Brittney or no one at all, bringing home one American or no American at all."

At this point Doocy interjected, saying Russia only "gave up a professional athlete" while the U.S. "gave up a prolific arms dealer who was convicted of trying to kill Americans."

To that, Jean-Pierre responded:

"The professional athlete is also an American citizen, so let's not forget that, who deserved... and I've explaned how the Russians have illegally and totally illegitimately treated this situation."
"I've been very clear on that. We've laid that out for you and again, the President felt this was an opportunity to bring Brittney home."
"He is going to continue to do everything he can to bring Paul Whelan home just like he did with [U.S. Marine] Trevor Reed, to secure Trevor Reed's release."

Many have praised Jean-Pierre for the way she handled her back-and-forth with Doocy.




Many also pointed out Paul Whelan was imprisoned in 2018—during the presidency of Donald Trump.


Griner arrived in the U.S. earlier today after ten months in Russian captivity.

She arrived at the U.S. Army’s Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and was then taken to the Brooke Army Medical Center, the facility confirmed in a statement.

The facility said the U.S. government "is focused on ensuring that Brittney Griner and her family’s well-being are prioritized and that all assistance available be offered in an appropriate manner."

President Biden confirmed he'd spoken with Griner during an appearance alongside Cherelle Griner, Griner's wife. He said Griner "will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones—and she should have been there all along."

More from Trending

Rory McIlroy
Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Golf Star Rory McIlroy Slams 'Abusive' American Fans After Ryder Cup Matches In New York

The Bethpage Black Golf Course in Old Bethpage, New York, hosted the Ryder Cup over the weekend. MAGA Republican President Donald Trump was in attendance with his granddaughter Kai.

Twelve top players from the States faced off against twelve top players from Europe.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sean Penn; Charlie Kirk
Karwai Tang/WireImage; Benjamin Hanson/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Sean Penn Sparks Heated Debate After Explaining Why He Thinks We 'Need' People Like Charlie Kirk In Politics

Academy Award-winning actor Sean Penn stirred controversy after he told the New York Times that we "need" people like the late far-right activist Charlie Kirk in politics despite disagreeing with "almost everything" Kirk believed in.

Kirk was assassinated earlier this month while speaking at a university in Utah; the suspect was caught after a two-day manhunt and has since been charged.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ariana Grande; Donald Trump
Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Ariana Grande Slams Trump With Blistering Question For Everyone Who Voted For Him

Wicked star Ariana Grande criticized President Donald Trump by posing a blunt question on Instagram for his supporters now that Trump has been in office for 250 days and counting.

Grande has been a consistently vocal advocate for social justice for many years and she circulated a post from podcaster Matt Bernstein calling out Trump supporters now that, among other things, Trump's immigration crackdown is in full swing and the government is threatening free speech rights.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Trump Ripped After Gloating About How Golden Oval Office Makes World Leaders 'Freak Out'

President Donald Trump is known for his gaudy taste in decor and now he has people rolling their eyes after he claimed that all of the gold decorations in the Oval Office actually makes visitors "freak out" due to its "quality and beauty."

The Oval Office has been significantly revamped since Trump took office in January—it features, among other things, fireplace adorned with gold cherubs and medallions, surrounded by portraits of American statesmen in ornate gold frames and shelves filled with gilded figurines, urns, and freshly installed Rococo mirrors.

Keep ReadingShow less
A man and a woman resting their heads on one another staring into the distance.
man and woman standing on brown field during daytime

People Reveal The Seemingly Insignificant Gestures That Showed Them How Much Their Partner Cares

It's always nice when our partner makes a grand gesture to show how much they love and care about us.

Be it a surprise romantic getaway, a nice dinner out, or a gift they knew we'd been eyeing, what touches us the most is knowing they did this to show how much we mean to them.

Keep ReadingShow less