House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff accused Russian President Vladimir Putin Sunday of attempting to sow division among Americans by trading WNBA star Brittney Griner for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in a prisoner swap.
The California Democrat suggested it was part of a “calculated” ploy by the Russian leader, as Republicans — and even some Democrats — criticize the Biden administration for agreeing to release such a high-profile Russian responsible for fueling war and violence while failing to also secure the release of former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who’s been jailed in Russia for four years on charges of spying.