Cherelle Griner’s comments this week come after she previously criticized the president for not doing enough to bring the WNBA player home. Brittney has been held in a Russian prison since she was arrested in February when officials claimed to have discovered vapor cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage at Moscow airport. Earlier this month, Brittney appealed to Biden for his help in freeing her, as well as other Americans who remain detained overseas, in a handwritten letter delivered to the White House. “As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey or any achievement, I fear I may be here forever,” he wrote. Cherelle told CBS News earlier this week that she still hadn’t been able to talk to Biden, which she called “very heartbreaking.” But the two finally spoke in a phone call Wednesday, during which the president read Cherelle a draft of a letter he wrote in response to Brittney’s appeal, according to the White House. During a news conference with the Rev. Al Sharpton on Friday, Sherrell said Biden’s letter “brought me so much joy” and was also welcome news for Britney. —ABC News (@ABC) July 8, 2022 “I believe every word she said to him, he understood, and he sees her as a person and he hasn’t forgotten her, which was her biggest cry in her letter,” Sherrell said. She added that she was grateful that Biden — who was Britney’s first president — took the time to speak with her and explain his administration’s efforts to bring Britney home. Cherelle added that she understands the challenges the government faces in trying to free Brittney, calling the process “complicated” amid a geopolitical dispute with Russia. He also asked Brittney’s supporters to offer their full support to Biden and the administration.
