White House defends release of Russian weapons dealer

The White House is defending the release of a convicted Russian weapons dealer in exchange for basketball player Brittney Griner.  In the prisoner swap, the United States released a man convicted on terrorism charges. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says “this was not a decision the president made lightly.” She also faced questions about Paul Whelan, who remains jailed in Russia after nearly four years. She said the U-S was not given a choice. President Biden is vowing not to give up on bringing Whelan home.