CBS knew of Brittney Griner swap early but WH urged them to hold story

CBS Information' Margaret Brennan stated the community knew in regards to the deal to free WNBA star Brittney Griner from Russian captivity final week.
CBS Information

CBS Information stated it realized final week of the US-Russian prisoner swap that set WNBA star Brittney Griner free on Thursday however held off on reporting it on the request of the White Home.

Margaret Brennan, the moderator of the Sunday morning present “Face the Nation,” appeared on the community’s morning present on Thursday to interrupt the information of Griner’s launch from Russian captivity.

Griner, 32, returns to the US after the Biden administration agreed to ship again Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms seller often called the “Service provider of Loss of life” who was serving a sentence in federal jail.

“CBS first realized that this swap was going to occur final Thursday,” Brennan stated. “CBS Information agreed that the Briner-for-Bout swap, which we knew was underway … that we might not report the main points of it.”

“This was on the request of the White Home, which requested us to not make it public as a result of officers expressed grave concern in regards to the fragility of the rising deal and feared it will impede the protection — maybe put these People in danger,” Brennan added.

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Brittney Griner, the 32-year-old WNBA star, was launched into US custody on Thursday morning.

AP

Griner spent 9 months in a Russian jail after she was convicted of drug possession.

POOL/AFP through Getty Pictures

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SPECIAL REPORT: WNBA star Brittney Griner was launched by Russia in a 1-for-1 prisoner swap for Russian arms seller Viktor Bout, based on a U.S. official. https://t.co/7Nn4j0ryxH

— CBS Information (@CBSNews) December 8, 2022

Gayle King, the host of “CBS Mornings,” advised Brennan: “It's so thrilling, and, after all, we saved our phrase on that.”

Brennan stated President Biden “licensed this swap simply final week.”

A US authorities aircraft carrying Bout flew to the United Arab Emirates, which was an “agreed-upon impartial level,” based on Brennan. A Russian aircraft carrying Griner additionally flew to the UAE.

The White Home launched a photograph of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris within the Oval Workplace with Griner’s spouse, Cherelle, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

White Home through Reuters

Griner was taken to a US navy base, the place she's going to endure medical evaluations after her 10-month captivity on drug fees.

Based on Brennan, the proposed prisoner swap gained momentum up to now few weeks after an extended interval throughout which there was no motion.

The change is a “one-for-one swap” that doesn't embrace Paul Whelan, a Marine Corps veteran who stays imprisoned in Russia, based on Brennan.

The US agreed to launch Russian arms seller Viktor Bout as a part of the swap.

AFP through Getty Pictures

The prisoner swap comes regardless of US-Russian relations reaching their lowest level because the Chilly Battle following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.