The Worst Trade In WNBA History?

With thousands of Americans in prison for drug use, why is Biden fighting for Brittney Griner’s release?

In what could be the worst trade in WNBA history, President Joe Biden reportedly signed off on a “substantial offer” made to Moscow to exchange Brittney Griner — an American basketball player imprisoned in Russia — with Viktor Bout — one of the most notorious arms dealers in the world, known as the “Merchant of Death.”

The 2005 movie, Lord of War, starring Nic Cage is supposedly based on Bout, by the way…

According to CNN, Paul Whelan, another American held in Russia, is also included in this proposed swap.

CNN NationalSecurity @NatSecCNN

CNN Exclusive: The US has offered to swap convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout as part of an exchange for imprisoned Americans Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. @kylieatwood @evanperez & @jmhansler report

cnn.comCNN Exclusive: Biden administration offers convicted Russian arms dealer in exchange for Griner, WhelanAfter months of internal debate, the Biden administration has offered to exchange Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms trafficker serving a 25-year US prison sentence, as part of a potential deal to secure the release of two Americans held by Russia, Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, according to pe…

Currently, Bout is serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States, charged with multiple conspiracies (including conspiring to support terrorist organizations, to kill Americans and American officers/employees, and to obtain and use an anti-aircraft missile), in addition to illegal purchase of an aircraft, wire fraud, and money laundering.

Conversely, Brittney Griner was arrested on drug charges in February 2022, detained at Sheremetyevo International Airport after the Federal Security Service (the modern incarnation of the KGB) found she was carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil — an illegal substance in Russia — and now faces a lengthy prison sentence.