Biden read Brittney Griner’s letter, White House says

Brittney Griner’s attraction to U.S. President Joe Biden in a handwritten letter continued to garner response Tuesday after the WNBA All-Star acknowledged she feared by no means returning dwelling and requested Biden not “neglect about me and the opposite American Detainees.”

Griner’s letter was delivered by means of her representatives to the White Home on Monday and officers say the president has learn it. Nevertheless Griner’s spouse, Cherelle, stated Tuesday on a morning speak present that she hadn’t heard from Biden.

White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was requested repeatedly about Griner on Tuesday throughout the common briefing. She stated Biden learn the letter, however she didn’t element his response.

“That is very private to him.”

Jean-Pierre didn’t say whether or not there have been plans for Biden to talk with Griner’s household, however did say that U.S. Nationwide Safety Advisor Jake Sullivan and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken each spoke to Griner’s spouse not too long ago.

Jean-Pierre stated Biden wished to get Griner and different Individuals dwelling.

“We’re going to use each software we probably can to make that occur,” Jean-Pierre stated.

Griner is within the midst of a trial in Russia that started final week after she was arrested on Feb. 17 on fees of possessing hashish oil whereas returning to play for her Russian crew. The trial will resume Thursday.

Fewer than 1% of defendants in Russian felony instances are acquitted, and in contrast to in U.S. courts, acquittals will be overturned.

Griner’s representatives Monday shared a number of excerpts from her letter to the president.

“As I sit right here in a Russian jail, alone with my ideas and with out the safety of my spouse, household, associates, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I am terrified I is likely to be right here endlessly,” Griner wrote.

“On the 4th of July, our household usually honors the service of those that fought for our freedom, together with my father who’s a Vietnam Warfare Veteran,” the Phoenix Mercury centre added. “It hurts serious about how I normally have fun at the present time as a result of freedom means one thing utterly completely different to me this 12 months.”

Cherelle Griner was upset to not have any direct communication with the White Home because the letter was delivered.

“I nonetheless haven’t heard from him and truthfully, it’s extremely disheartening,” Cherelle Griner stated on CBS Mornings.

Cherelle Griner stated for Brittney to achieve out on to Biden is a sign of simply how afraid her spouse is about what’s subsequent.

“BG might be the strongest person who I do know. So she does not say phrases like that frivolously,” Cherelle stated. “Meaning she actually is terrified that she could by no means see us once more. And you realize I share those self same sentiments. … I am certain she was like, `I am gonna write him now as a result of … my household has tried and to no avail. So I am going do it myself.”‘

Griner pleaded with Biden within the letter to make use of his powers to make sure her return.

“Please do all you may to convey us dwelling. I voted for the primary time in 2020 and I voted for you. I imagine in you. I nonetheless have a lot good to do with my freedom that you could assist restore,” Griner stated “I miss my spouse! I miss my household! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they’re struggling a lot proper now. I’m grateful for no matter you are able to do at this second to get me dwelling.”

Griner has been capable of have sporadic communications with household, associates and WNBA gamers by means of an electronic mail account her agent arrange. The emails are printed out and delivered in bunches to Griner by her lawyer after they’re vetted by Russian officers. As soon as the legal professionals get again to their workplace, they’re going to scan any responses from Griner and move them again to the U.S. to ship alongside.

She was alleged to have a telephone name together with her spouse on their anniversary nevertheless it failed due to an “unlucky mistake,” Biden administration officers.

Griner’s supporters have inspired a prisoner swap just like the one in April that introduced dwelling Marine veteran Trevor Reed in change for a Russian pilot convicted of drug trafficking conspiracy. The U.S. State Division in Might designated her as wrongfully detained, shifting her case underneath the supervision of its particular presidential envoy for hostage affairs, successfully the federal government’s chief hostage negotiator.

Griner is not the one American being wrongfully detained in Russia. Paul Whelan, a former Marine and safety director is serving a 16-year sentence on an espionage conviction.

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Related Press author Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.