On Thursday, NBC Chicago posted an article about a prisoner swap between America and Russia.

The article reports:

WNBA star Brittney Griner was freed from Russian custody as part of a prisoner swap, but many, including Griner’s family, were quick to point out another American name was not listed as part of the deal.

Paul Whelan.

Whelan is a Michigan corporate security executive jailed for nearly four years in Russia on espionage charges that his family and the U.S. government has said are baseless.

Earlier reporting had indicated Whelan was part of the U.S.’ original offer to Russia, which sought both Griner and Whelan in exchange for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who is serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S. and once earned the nickname the “merchant of death.”

Biden said the U.S. hasn’t given up on Whealan and “we’ll never give up” fighting to get him home.

“This was not a choice of which American to bring home,” Biden said. “Sadly, for totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is treating Paul’s case differently than Britney’s.”

A former Marine who later worked as a corporate security executive, Whelan was arrested in Moscow in December 2018. His lawyer said Whelan was handed a flash drive that had classified information on it that he didn’t know about.

Note to anyone traveling abroad during the Biden administration–this administration does not have your back. When America is weak, Americans traveling abroad can easily be detained on false pretenses. It should also be noted that Paul Whelan was not honorably discharged from the Marine Corps. However, that is no excuse for leaving him to languish in a Russian prison.

In an article posted on Thursday, NewsMax noted:

In releasing Bout, the U.S. freed a a former Soviet Army lieutenant colonel whom the Justice Department once described as one of the world’s most prolific arms dealers. Bout, whose exploits inspired a Hollywood movie, was serving a 25-year sentence on charges that he conspired to sell tens of millions of dollars in weapons that U.S officials said were to be used against Americans.

The Biden administration was ultimately willing to exchange Bout if it meant Griner’s freedom. The detention of one of the greatest players in WNBA history contributed to a swirl of unprecedented public attention for an individual detainee case – not to mention intense pressure on the White House.

We need better negotiators.