Washington — Wednesday’s conversation between President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Cherelle Griner was with Brittney Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner.
Griner was detained in Russia since February and her trial started last week. There has been increasing pressure on the Biden administration to do more for Griner’s release.
According to her family, the call came two days after Griner’s handwritten letter to Mr. Biden, dated 31 years ago, was delivered to the White House. In it, Griner pleaded with the president to allow her to return home. The Phoenix Mercury player wrote, “I’m afraid I might be here forever.”
The White House stated Wednesday that the president’s and vice president spoke with Cherelle Griner (the wife of Brittney Griner) about the fact that Brittney is being held in Russia under intolerable circumstances.
The White House stated that Mr. Biden wanted to “reassure her that he is working hard to secure Brittney’s release as soon possible, as well the release of Paul Whelan (and other U.S. citizens who are wrongfully held hostage in Russia or around the globe”) He also gave her a draft letter that the president will send to Brittney Griner today.
Although the White House didn’t share details from the president’s letter to Griner on Wednesday, it said that the president offered his support to Griner’s family and made his promise to ensure they get all the assistance possible from the administration. Cherelle Griner has previously had conversations with Jake Sullivan, national security adviser, and Antony Blinken, Secretary of State.
Cherelle Griner said Tuesday on CBS Mornings that her wife, Cherelle Griner, decided to write directly to Vice President Joe Biden because she had not been in touch.
It hurts me every single time that she asks, “Have they met yet?” I must say no. Cherelle replied, “I’m certain she’s like, “I’m going write him and ask now, because my family has tried unsuccessfully, so I’m going do it myself.”
Griner was detained at Moscow’s airport in February after officials claimed she had in her luggage vape cartridges that contained hashish oil. She could spend up to 10 years prison if she is convicted.
The head coach of Phoenix Mercury Vanessa Nygaard implied this week that Griner’s case would make more progress if Griner were a male NBA star.
“If it were LeBron, he would be home,” Nygaard said. Nygaard was referring to Los Angeles Lakers’ star LeBron James. It’s a statement about women’s value. It is a statement about Black people’s value. It is a statement about gay people’s worth. All of these things. We all know this, so it hurts even more.