Rep. Burchett statement on trading Brittney Griner for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout

WASHINGTON, D.C., (Dec. 8, 2022) – Today, U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) released the following statement about the prisoner swap between the United States and Russia: 

“We got had. Viktor Bout conspired to sell arms that would target Americans. He profited from war and genocide, and we traded him for someone who disrespected our country while leaving behind a U.S. Marine. I’m glad Brittney’s home, but this was a bad deal.” 

Brittney Griner played for the Women’s National Basketball Association team Phoenix Mercury and was detained by Russian authorities in February 2022. She was convicted of drug smuggling and possession of cannabis oil and sentenced to serve nine years in a penal colony. 

Viktor Bout is a Russian arms dealer who is known as the “Merchant of Death.” He was captured by U.S. authorities in 2008 after meeting with undercover Drug Enforcement Administration agents and agreeing to sell arms that could be used to target Americans. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison in the United States.  

Paul Whelan served in the U.S. Marines before becoming a corporate security executive. He was detained in Russia in 2018 and convicted on espionage charges U.S. officials have called “spurious.” He was not included in the prisoner exchange deal, and remains in Russian custody.