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President Biden is under increasing pressure to secure the release of Paul Whelan, a former Marine being held in Russia, following the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner in a trade for the Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
The Whelan family has voiced support for the president’s efforts to sure Paul Whelan’s release, but Biden has come under criticism from Republicans and former President Trump for both not winning Whelan’s freedom and for trading Bout for Griner.
“Biden’s now aiding both sides of the war,” tweeted Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), suggesting the newly freed Bout could help Russian President Vladimir Putin source arms for use in his country’s war with Ukraine.
Trump, a potential presidential opponent for Biden if he runs for reelection in 2024, has sought to put on the pressure.
Trump on Sunday said he turned down a deal to release Whelan in exchange for Bout, saying he wouldn’t have made the deal to bring back a hundred people for him.
In response, David Whelan, Paul Whelan’s brother, accused the Trump administration of not appearing interested in the case, adding that the Biden administration is “much more engaged in wrongful detentions.”
The White House took pains in the hours after Griner’s release to show how it had continued to seek Whelan’s freedom. Griner’s family and advocates have also signaled solidarity with the Whelan family.
Officials from the National Security Council (NSC) communicate with the Whelan family roughly every other week. This is in addition to weekly calls the Whelan family has with the special envoy for hostage affairs team, a senior administration official told The Hill.
The NSC team and the State Department met virtually with Whelan’s sister, Elizabeth Whelan, on Monday. That followed a conversation between her and Biden last week, according to national security adviser Jake Sullivan.
“We are bound and determined to ensure that we work through a successful method of securing Paul Whelan’s release at the earliest possible opportunity,” Sullivan said, adding that the commitment to Whelan’s release is “absolutely rock solid, intense.”
The Biden administration has insisted that the Russians treated Griner’s release differently than Whelan’s and had different demands.
