WEBVTT 00:02.000 --> 00:05.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Brittney Griner is finally free tonight after a dramatic prisoner swap. 00:05.100 --> 00:10.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% The women's professional basketball star had been held by Russia for most of this year 00:12.100 --> 00:15.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% on a minor drug offense and was starting to serve a sentence of nine years in a prison camp. 00:17.666 --> 00:20.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% But, today, she was exchanged for a notorious Russian arms dealer doing 25 years in a U.S. prison. 00:23.133 --> 00:25.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Nick Schifrin begins our coverage. 00:25.700 --> 00:29.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: In a penal colony 6,000 miles from her home, Brittney Griner walked to freedom. 00:30.700 --> 00:31.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% QUESTION: What is your mood? 00:31.900 --> 00:32.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% BRITTNEY GRINER, WNBA Player: Happy. 00:32.766 --> 00:34.033 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (LAUGHTER) 00:34.033 --> 00:34.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% QUESTION: Well, are you ready for the flight? 00:34.966 --> 00:37.133 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% BRITTNEY GRINER: Yes. 00:37.133 --> 00:42.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: On a tarmac in the United Arab Emirates, the wrongfully detained basketball 00:44.133 --> 00:47.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% star in red was traded for a notorious criminal greeted by a Russian official with a hug. 00:49.233 --> 00:53.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% The deal done, President Biden spoke with Griner in the Oval Office and embraced her 00:53.766 --> 00:55.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% wife, Cherelle, after Brittney's 294 days in detention. 00:55.966 --> 01:00.933 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% JOE BIDEN, President of the United States: Held under intolerable circumstances, Brittney 01:00.933 --> 01:05.600 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones, and she should have been there all along. 01:05.600 --> 01:08.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% CHERELLE GRINER, Wife of Brittney Griner: So, over the last nine months, you all have 01:08.466 --> 01:13.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% been so privy to one of the darkest moments of my life. 01:14.933 --> 01:18.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And so, today I'm just standing here overwhelmed with emotions. 01:18.033 --> 01:21.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% But the most important emotion that I have right now is just sincere gratitude. 01:21.400 --> 01:23.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% BRITTNEY GRINER: I never meant to break any laws. 01:23.033 --> 01:26.900 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% NICK SCHIFRIN: Griner has been in Russian custody since February. 01:26.900 --> 01:31.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% She pled guilty and was convicted of drug smuggling and possession after Russian authorities 01:33.866 --> 01:36.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% said she landed in Moscow with two vape cartridges full of cannabis oil. 01:36.333 --> 01:41.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% BRITTNEY GRINER: People with more severe crimes have gotten less than what I was given. 01:43.333 --> 01:47.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: She was sentenced to nine years in prison and transferred to a female penal 01:47.900 --> 01:51.366 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% colony known for torture and forced labor. 01:51.366 --> 01:54.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Russia's legal system has a 99 percent conviction rate. 01:54.733 --> 01:59.700 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% And, throughout, the U.S. called her trials a miscarriage of justice. 02:00.866 --> 02:03.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% She was traded for 55-year-old Viktor Bout. 02:03.000 --> 02:08.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% When he was arrested in 2008 in Bangkok, he was one of the world's most wanted men. 02:10.033 --> 02:13.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% He was extradited to the U.S. and found guilty by a U.S. court of conspiracy to kill Americans 02:14.300 --> 02:17.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and providing aid to terrorist organizations. 02:17.166 --> 02:21.300 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% He was so notorious, he inspired the 2005 film "Lord of War." 02:21.300 --> 02:26.300 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% NICOLAS CAGE, Actor: Ten thousand Kalashnikovs for a battalion. 02:28.333 --> 02:30.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Your stocks are dangerously depleted, Dmitri. 02:30.333 --> 02:32.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: Senior U.S. officials say they originally proposed freeing two wrongfully 02:32.100 --> 02:36.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% detained Americans, Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan. 02:36.133 --> 02:40.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% A Russian court convicted him on espionage charges that the U.S. called a sham. 02:40.566 --> 02:43.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% DAVID WHELAN, Brother of Detained American: Russia says it caught James Bond on a spy 02:43.700 --> 02:45.133 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% mission. 02:45.133 --> 02:47.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% In reality, they abducted Mr. Bean on holiday. 02:47.266 --> 02:50.600 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% NICK SCHIFRIN: But, today Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the only option was Griner 02:50.600 --> 02:52.733 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% for Bout. 02:52.733 --> 02:55.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. Secretary of State: This was not a choice of which American to bring home. 02:55.300 --> 02:57.866 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% The choice was one or none. 02:57.866 --> 03:00.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: David Whelan is Paul's brother. 03:00.466 --> 03:02.600 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% What's your response to Brittney Griner's release? 03:02.600 --> 03:04.533 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% DAVID WHELAN, Brother of Detained American: It's great news. 03:04.533 --> 03:07.633 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Any time an American comes home from wrongful detention, it's a great day. 03:07.633 --> 03:12.633 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: And yet I can imagine it's so difficult to see Brittney released and 03:13.366 --> 03:14.166 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% Paul not released. 03:14.166 --> 03:16.166 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% DAVID WHELAN: It is. 03:16.166 --> 03:19.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And we are grateful to the White House for the trust that they showed us yesterday. 03:19.200 --> 03:24.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% They let us know in advance that this was coming, so that my sister, my brother, and 03:26.200 --> 03:29.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% our parents could process this in private, essentially, and try to come to terms with 03:31.033 --> 03:32.466 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% the bitter side of the bittersweet moment. 03:32.466 --> 03:35.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: But,, some Republicans criticized the swap. 03:35.400 --> 03:39.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking Republican James Risch said: "Paul Whelan 03:39.166 --> 03:41.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% should have been part of this deal." 03:41.500 --> 03:46.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And expected next House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Texas Republican Mike McCaul said: 03:46.033 --> 03:51.033 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% "Trading Viktor Bout will only embolden Vladimir Putin to continue his evil practice of taking 03:52.100 --> 03:54.233 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% innocent Americans hostage." 03:54.233 --> 03:57.566 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% But David Whelan says the Biden administration made the right call. 03:57.566 --> 04:01.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% DAVID WHELAN: It seems that they had come to an impasse and whoever it is in Russia 04:01.033 --> 04:06.033 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% was not going to make a good-faith deal that would include Paul. 04:07.966 --> 04:09.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% If the Biden administration had continued to wait, then they would have been prolonging 04:09.366 --> 04:12.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Brittney Griner's detention for no good reason. 04:12.900 --> 04:17.400 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% So, I mean, again, it's not great for Paul, and it's not what our family would have chosen, 04:17.400 --> 04:22.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% but it's the right thing for an American president to do for an American citizen who is wrongfully detained. 04:22.066 --> 04:27.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And if it means exchanging a 50-year-old arms dealer who has been in U.S. custody for more 04:29.100 --> 04:31.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% than a decade, I think that the harm is not as substantial as people are worrying about. 04:31.766 --> 04:35.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: Do you fear that the price that the administration paid for Brittney 04:35.566 --> 04:40.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Griner raises the price for what they would have to do to release your brother? 04:41.300 --> 04:43.300 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% DAVID WHELAN: No. 04:43.300 --> 04:46.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I think, for each of these cases, whether it's in Russia or Iran or Syria or China, 04:47.733 --> 04:49.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% each of these cases has its own requirements. 04:49.766 --> 04:53.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And so I'm not sure that the requirements for Paul's case have changed at all. 04:53.233 --> 04:55.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And I don't think that the Russian government would necessarily expect more. 04:55.666 --> 04:59.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% They obviously have certain things that they are hoping to get as a concession from the 04:59.400 --> 05:01.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% U.S. government, and they haven't gotten it yet. 05:01.066 --> 05:04.300 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: And the U.S. vows to bring Whelan home. 05:04.300 --> 05:09.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JOE BIDEN: Sadly, for totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is treating Paul's case differently 05:09.900 --> 05:11.933 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% than Brittney's. 05:11.933 --> 05:15.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And while we have not yet succeeded in securing Paul's release, we are not giving up. 05:15.666 --> 05:18.233 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% We will never give up. 05:18.233 --> 05:22.000 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: Whelan told us today the Russians were asking for a spy in U.S. custody to trade 05:22.000 --> 05:25.400 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% for Paul Whelan, who was convicted of espionage. 05:25.400 --> 05:29.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% For more on the man traded for Brittney Griner, we turn to Robert Zachariasiewicz. 05:29.666 --> 05:34.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% He was the lead agent in the Drug Enforcement Administration who initiated the investigation 05:34.233 --> 05:37.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% of Viktor Bout and saw it through to his conviction. 05:37.666 --> 05:40.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Robert Zachariasiewicz, welcome to the "NewsHour." 05:40.100 --> 05:44.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Do you think that trading Viktor Bout for Brittney Griner was in the interest of the 05:44.266 --> 05:46.266 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% United States? 05:46.266 --> 05:48.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% ROBERT ZACHARIASIEWICZ, Former DEA Special Agent: Well, I don't think it's in the interest 05:48.400 --> 05:51.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% of the United States, but I will start by saying what I have said many times before. 05:51.466 --> 05:54.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% I have nothing but well-wishes for the family. 05:54.033 --> 05:58.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And I'm very happy for them that they're reunited with their loved one. 05:58.300 --> 06:03.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% That said, I think that there's some very negative national security implications from 06:04.033 --> 06:06.266 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% such an ill-fated trade. 06:06.266 --> 06:11.266 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And the first of those implications, I think, is American citizens throughout the world 06:12.700 --> 06:15.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% just got made a commodity and have a bullseye put on them. 06:15.766 --> 06:20.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I truly believe that we just sent the message that it is good business to have an American 06:23.733 --> 06:28.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% citizen in your pocket through a false detention or a kidnapping, because they may be needed 06:30.133 --> 06:33.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% for a trade someday, and it's a nice equity to have. 06:33.266 --> 06:37.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And the second reason is, I think that it greatly tarnishes our rule of law, which is 06:37.800 --> 06:41.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% one of our strongest assets that we have worldwide. 06:41.133 --> 06:46.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And I think that, by engaging in this type of negotiation, I think that we reduced a 06:50.066 --> 06:55.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% judicial jury verdict into a political stunt, much in the same way that Moscow has treated 06:57.833 --> 06:59.833 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% Ms. Griner. 06:59.833 --> 07:03.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: On the first point that you made, that it increases the chances of hostage 07:03.133 --> 07:08.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% diplomacy, the administration says it has taken steps to deter other governments from 07:10.133 --> 07:15.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% taking Americans wrongfully, including new authorities, new possibilities of sanctions, 07:16.533 --> 07:20.500 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% and calling out other governments from taking Americans hostage. 07:21.366 --> 07:22.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Do you think that's enough? 07:22.300 --> 07:24.633 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% ROBERT ZACHARIASIEWICZ: I don't. 07:24.633 --> 07:27.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I think that those are all nice points to make. 07:27.700 --> 07:32.700 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% I think, through years of sanctions in Venezuela and now Russia through the Ukrainian conflict, 07:34.666 --> 07:39.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% we can see the effects that sanctions have and how they can be controverted and outlived. 07:40.666 --> 07:43.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And I think it just defies all common sense and logic. 07:43.800 --> 07:48.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% It's right out of the playbook of organizations like Hezbollah and others that this is good 07:49.666 --> 07:51.600 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% business. 07:51.600 --> 07:53.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: And on the point of -- that you made about degrading the rule of law, 07:53.533 --> 07:58.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% senior administration officials said this earlier today: "We try to form all sorts of 07:58.100 --> 07:59.266 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% alternatives. 07:59.266 --> 08:02.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We try to pay as little price as possible. 08:02.166 --> 08:07.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% But we think there is a moral obligation to bring detained Americans home." 08:07.900 --> 08:09.900 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% Is there? 08:09.900 --> 08:12.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% ROBERT ZACHARIASIEWICZ: I think there's a moral obligation to do everything in our power 08:12.466 --> 08:17.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% to continue to support those Americans and make every attempt to get them home. 08:18.900 --> 08:21.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% But that doesn't mean I don't think that that has limits. 08:21.466 --> 08:26.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And I think that we have to take into account the other American citizens whose lives might 08:26.300 --> 08:30.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% just be imperiled by taking such actions and the national security implications. 08:30.800 --> 08:35.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I will also add that I think that we have to find ways to start discouraging American 08:37.800 --> 08:41.600 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% citizens from placing themselves unnecessarily in harm's way, whether it's a missionary trying 08:44.866 --> 08:49.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% to spread God's word, an adventure seeker that wants to see ancient ruins, or a person 08:51.266 --> 08:54.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that's traveling to an enemy of the state for personal gain. 08:54.366 --> 08:59.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: And we did here President Biden urge Americans to take into account travel 08:59.033 --> 09:01.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% guidance by the State Department. 09:01.133 --> 09:05.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% How do you think this trade will impact the U.S. ability to work with governments overseas 09:06.833 --> 09:08.533 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% to pursue criminals? 09:08.533 --> 09:11.233 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% ROBERT ZACHARIASIEWICZ: I think it really hurt our stance in the world. 09:11.233 --> 09:14.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And I think it's going to be very hard to take the United States at face value moving 09:14.800 --> 09:17.366 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% forward after some of these trades. 09:17.366 --> 09:21.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We make incredible partnerships with law enforcement throughout the world. 09:21.733 --> 09:26.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And cases and investigations like the one involving Mr. Bout are incredibly delicate, 09:29.100 --> 09:34.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% and take a tremendous amount of resources, not only in physical resources, but in relationships, 09:36.633 --> 09:38.666 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% in trust. 09:38.666 --> 09:43.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Some of these relationships take years to build, and we make great promises to our foreign 09:44.333 --> 09:45.566 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% counterparts. 09:45.566 --> 09:47.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% NICK SCHIFRIN: Tell us more about Viktor Bout. 09:47.900 --> 09:52.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% He described himself as the largest arms transporter in the world. 09:52.000 --> 09:53.966 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% How so? 09:53.966 --> 09:55.500 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% ROBERT ZACHARIASIEWICZ: I think what made Viktor very unique is that he had assembled 09:55.500 --> 10:00.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% a private fleet of retired Soviet military aircraft. 10:00.166 --> 10:05.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And he was -- he had reach that none other that I have seen was able to utilize to place 10:07.900 --> 10:12.333 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% this deadly cargo in conflict zones throughout the world, where other people simply couldn't 10:12.333 --> 10:14.400 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% deliver. 10:14.400 --> 10:17.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And I think that's what made him unique and made him even more of a threat, not only to 10:17.833 --> 10:20.666 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% the United States' national security, but to global stability. 10:20.666 --> 10:24.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: And, finally, you had a long career in law enforcement. 10:24.266 --> 10:28.500 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% You stay in touch with colleagues, of course, who are still working in the Department of 10:28.500 --> 10:31.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Justice and other federal law enforcement agencies. 10:31.000 --> 10:36.000 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And I wonder, what are they telling you, those colleagues who are still in government, about 10:36.700 --> 10:38.633 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% today's trade? 10:38.633 --> 10:40.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% ROBERT ZACHARIASIEWICZ: President Biden's lost the Department of Justice, plain and 10:40.766 --> 10:43.366 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% simple. 10:43.366 --> 10:46.733 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% I have spoken to multiple levels, every level of law enforcement, to include the prosecutorial 10:51.600 --> 10:54.100 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% side, the investigation side. 10:54.100 --> 10:59.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% It universally seems to be very disenfranchised, crestfallen. 11:01.133 --> 11:04.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And, quite frankly, I think that -- I think they have -- I think that the Department of 11:06.033 --> 11:08.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Justice has been lost for President Biden. 11:08.500 --> 11:13.400 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: With all due respect, the attorney general, at least publicly, works very closely 11:14.133 --> 11:16.133 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% with the president. 11:16.133 --> 11:18.600 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% What evidence do you have that, as you just put it, the president has -- quote -- "lost" 11:18.600 --> 11:20.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% the Department of Justice? 11:20.600 --> 11:24.600 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% ROBERT ZACHARIASIEWICZ: I think I have an idea of where most folks felt, and it certainly 11:26.066 --> 11:28.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% would seem that the State Department won this round. 11:28.100 --> 11:32.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: Meaning the State Department believed in this trade and the Department 11:32.100 --> 11:33.533 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% of Justice did not? 11:34.700 --> 11:36.200 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% ROBERT ZACHARIASIEWICZ: That's my impression. 11:37.366 --> 11:39.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% NICK SCHIFRIN: We will have to leave it there. 11:39.266 --> 11:41.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Robert Zachariasiewicz, thank you very much. 11:42.233 --> 11:43.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% ROBERT ZACHARIASIEWICZ: Thank you for having me.