On 12/8/2022, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, “In this prisoner swap, why did Russia get such a better deal?”
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Look, you know, I’ve talked about this, and I’ll say this again. Here were our choices. Our choices was: Brittney or no one at all. Bring home one American or no American at all. And that’s — that’s —
Doocy: And they give up a professional athlete. We gave up a prolific arms dealer who was convicted of trying to kill Americans, who is called the “Merchant of Death.”
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: The professional athlete is also an American citizen — so let’s not forget that — who deserved —
Doocy: And Paul Whelan is an American citizen. So we could do this all day.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: And so — and — and I’ve explained how the Russians have illegally treated — totally illegitimately treated his situation. I’ve been very clear on that. We’ve laid that all — we laid that out for you. And, again, the President felt that this was an opportunity to bring Brittney home.
Reporter: One more, quickly. Leader McCarthy has called this, quote, a “gift to Vladimir Putin,” saying it “endangers American lives.” Your message to McCarthy?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Again, sadly, Russia and other countries have already been willing to wrongfully detain U.S. citizens. This is — this is something that they have been willing to do. And what —
Reporter: But what do you say to his contention, “This is a gift to Vladimir Putin”?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: What we have said — and basically, I’m just going to repeat what I have been saying: The President is committed and has been very clear —
Doocy: How can you say that he’s going to do everything that he can if he said, just a few days ago, he’s not going to call up Vladimir Putin until further notice?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: We were able to do this through — through different channels. Right? We were able to do this through — through different avenues — folks from the U.S. government that were able to make that negotiation, have those conversation and secure Brittney’s return. So, we were —
Reporter: And just to try again on a question that you’ve gotten: How does this deal not send a message to Russia and to other governments that, if they wrongfully detain American citizens, that they will have some of their most dangerous criminals — in this case, the “Merchant of Death” — released?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Look, I’ve answered this question multiple times. And I’ve said this, and you’ve all reported this, and you have seen this as well: Russia and other countries have already been willing to wrongfully detain U.S. citizens.
Reporter: But does this encourage them to continue doing it — to do it even more?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Look, I cannot speak for other countries. That is not something that I am able to do from here.
President felt a moral obligation to bring Brittney home. “either Brittney or no one at all”
“But here — here it is — you know, and I said — my colleagues said this earlier today: The President felt a moral obligation to bring Brittney home. There was an opportunity to do that. It was either Brittney or no one at all.”
Reporter: Thanks, Karine. Just two follow-ups on things you’ve said about Griner today. You’ve said a couple times that, in recent weeks, it’s become clear that the Russians were willing to reach an agreement to secure Griner’s release but they continue to treat Whelan differently. When you say “in recent weeks,” do you mean after the midterm elections?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I don’t have the specific timeline for you. What I was able to share is “in recent weeks.” Don’t have two weeks, three weeks. I can just say for sure “in recent weeks.” But, look, you know, again, the President has — has worked tirelessly and has — so has his administration
Reporter: Well, that leads to my follow-up, which was: You’ve also said the Russians are not operating in good faith. You said that a couple of times. What exactly do you mean by “not operating in good faith”?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I’m not going to get into specific negotiations. All I can tell you: They were not — they’re not able to operate in good faith at this time.
https://facebook.com/HygoNewsUSA/videos/1200162453917269
Q: why Russia such better deal? athlete vs prolific arms dealer? A: been very clear; Q: Your message to McCarthy? A: basically, repeat what I have been saying