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The State Department on Thursday responded to a letter from Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., and Burgess Owens, R-Utah, urging the Biden administration to send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and let him know that Americans will not do so made political pawns amid the country’s war with Ukraine.
The March 10 letter, which Fox News Digital received exclusively, expressed concern about Brittney Griner’s incarceration in the country. Griner was arrested in February after Russian officials said a search of her luggage found vape cartridges containing cannabis-derived oil.
If convicted, Griner faces up to ten years in prison.
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on March 21. (Kevin Lamarque, Pool via AP, File)
Fox News Digital received the State Department’s response, which was sent to Donald’s office more than a month later.
“One of the State Department’s top priorities is assisting U.S. citizens who are detained or detained abroad. The State Department understands your concerns regarding the detention of Ms. Griner,” the April 14 letter said.
“On February 17, the customs police at a Moscow airport arrested Ms. Griner on charges of smuggling drugs. Ms. Griner had constant access to her legal team. She is currently in custody outside of Moscow. In a hearing on March 17, the Russian court extended Ms. Griner’s detention until May 17. The consular chief of the US Embassy in Moscow was allowed to visit Ms. Griner on March 23. Ms. Griner is doing as well as can be expected.”
Brittney Griner is taking part in the 2021 Olympic Games in Japan. (Jean Catuffe/Getty Images, file)
Donalds responded to the letter in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“While I appreciate the State Department’s response, the contents of the letter do little to ease my unease about Americans currently being imprisoned in Putin’s crumbling Russia,” Donalds said. “The Biden State Department’s handling of this situation is slow and lacks the strength needed to get our people home quickly. As seen under the Trump administration, now is the time for unconventional diplomacy by the Biden administration to facilitate the release of all Americans imprisoned in Russia.”
Little has been said about Griner’s well-being since her arrest.
WNBA STAR NNEKA OGWUMIKE ADDRESSES BRITTNEY GRINER IN DETAINEE WHY PLAYERS USE A “STRATEGIC” APPROACH
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks before the WNBA Draft on April 11th. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed reporters Monday on Griner before the WNBA draft and before announcing that the Atlanta Dream was on the clock.
Engelbert said officials inside and outside the WNBA were working hard to bring her home.
“This is an unimaginable situation for BG. She continues to have our full support and she is just a great person in the league,” she added. “I cannot be more realistic about the situation she is in and we are certainly trying everything we can, from every angle, and working with her legal representation, agent, elected leaders, administration and just about everyone working together in our ecosystem to find ways to get them home safely and as quickly as possible.”
Brittney Griner in an undated photo after her arrest. (Russian State TV)
Engelbert added that bringing Griner home was the “top priority.”
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If convicted, Griner faces up to ten years in a Russian prison.
The WNBA season is scheduled to begin on May 6th.