>> reporter: griner's wife cherelle wiping away tears.ivering this emotional message. >> what and hoy i feel today is a deeper emotion than hurt. i'm frustrated. i'm frustrated that 140 days have passed since my wife has been able to speak to me, to our family, and to her friends. i'm frustrated that my wife is not going to get justice. >> reporter: public pressure directed at the white house is mounting, calling on president biden to double down on efforts to bring griner home. earlier this week, more than 1,100 black female leaders penned an open letter to the administration, urging them to swiftly make a deal, writing in part, brittney griner cast her first-ever vote in 2020. she voted for you and vice president kamala harris. more than prioritizing her immediate return in word, you must do so in deed. concerns are also growing for griner's physical and mental well-being. civil rights activist reverend al sharpton, who was so moved by cherelle's public outcry, asked biden to arrange a prayer visit in the russian prison. what was your h

a great interview you did with cherelle griner.she told you about this dire situation underway right now. >> well, the start of the trial today in russia is really the beginning of a process that cherelle griner knows is going to be a lengthy one and one that is unlikely to end in a positive way for her life. she repeated this figure to me, 99% of criminal trials in russia end in a conviction. so there's an awareness there that at the end of this process, it's very unlikely that britney drien griner is going to be acquitted. one thing to keep in mind about cherelle griner is she is actually a lawyer herself, and she's very clear eyed that this kind of legal process is not what we're used to in the united states. so with that knowledge, she's advised her wife to approach it very differently. take a listen. >> i want people to try and put themselves in her shoes and just think about the fact that, you know, this is not our typical system. so bg is not walking into a situation where there is a balance of justice. she's walking into a

. >>> now to a cnn exclusive, abby phillip spoke with brittney griner's wife cherelle griner and she doing enough to bring britney home. >> do you trust that the maximum amount of effort is going put forward to bring bg home? >> no, i don't, and i hate to say that because i do trust that they are -- that the persons working on this are very genuine people. that i do believe. but i don't think the maximum amount of effort is being done because, again, the rhetoric and the actions don't match. when you have a situation where bg can call our government, the embassy, 11 times and that phone call don't get answered, you don't have my trust at that point until i see actions that are in bg's best interests. it would have been in her best interests for her phone call to have been answered, best interest for her to be back on u.s. soil. until i see things like that, no. >> i know you have had conversations with the secretary of state and other officials, but you want to talk to president biden, right? >> absolutely. and the reason why is because i'm new to this, you know, so i don't -- i'm no

cherelle and the family thinking her case was not top priority.ave this failed call that was supposed to go through, set up by the u.s. embassy but they did not staff the phone so brittney called it 21 times and cherelle did not get the call. finally you get brittney griner begging president biden in a personal letter that was handed to him saying she is terrified she will be in russia for the rest of her life. talk about the significance of this and also the possible prisoner exchange. >> let's talk about those things. credit to maya who has been on this story from the beginning. what we have to understand is the sports world -- there were two wings when brittney griner was first found to be effectively disappeared by the russian criminal justice system. there was a wing that loved brittney griner so much around the wnba investable circles are generally that they listened to the state department give them awful advice to just be quiet for months. not only not say word, but to tell others to be quiet. i spoke to so many people in and around the wn

we intend to share and stand with cherelle and others. and president biden, who has now made his commitment to do whatever is necessary. now that britney has pled guilty, should the towards the end of the trial. she will be making a statement i understand on thursday, which is the next court date on what was her non-intention, where she was not intentionally breaking the law. then we will see if that leads to a verdict. once that happens, it opens the door we feel, we hope, we don't, know no one's said this to me, but we hope, once that trial is over, it opens the door to begin negotiations with russia. you have two people in jail that are no longer under any kind of trial situation. >> reverend al sharpton, as, always thank you very much sir. here to unpack renders detention and what it means is historian -- and former state department senior adviser maria -- welcome to you both. now pull back the curtain for us for just a moment, and help us understand. what do these negotiations look like in situations like this? one of the options tha

>> reporter: this is a very emotional week for cherelle griner and for brittney griner's family.ey're facing the real reality of what she is facing in russia, the prospect of a trial in a legal system that cherelle told me she does not necessarily trust. she does not believe this is any kind of system where her wife can receive justice, and so that's why she is pushing to meet with president biden and also pushing for president biden and the united states government to simply get a deal done, that can bring brittney griner home. listen. tell me about what you have been able to hear from brittney in this time. there was the call that didn't happen. what have you been able to hear from her while she's been in detention? >> so, i haven't really been able to hear anything that brings me the most assurance about her well-being to that degree because the call would have given me that. so i don't know how well she's doing. >> reporter: do you trust that the maximum amount of effort is being put forward to bring b.g. home? >> no i don't. and i hate to say that, because i do trust that th

>> reporter: absolutely, jim, cherelle griner is clear-eyed about what her wife faces in russia and she wants to sit down with president biden. she believes that that is a pivotal step in the process of bringing her wife home. you know, one thing to note she told me, brittney griner cast her first ballot ever for president biden, and cherelle griner thinks that should mean something, that her plight should get all the way to the highest levels of this government and they should be willing to do whatever it takes, she said, whatever takes to bring her wife home. take a listen. do you trust that the maximum amount of effort is being put forward to bring b.g. home? >> no, i don't. the people working on this are genuine people who i do believe, but i don't think the maximum amount of effort is being done because, again, the rhetoric and the actions don't match, you know. when you have a situation where b.g. can call our government, the embassy, 11 times, and that phone call don't get answered, you don't have my trust at that point until i see actions that are in b.g.'s best interest. it wou

1,100 black women leaders, the president and vice president harris called brittney griner's wife, cherelleday promising all possible assistance to bring brittney home. the wnba superstar's head coach hearing the news from us do you have any reaction to the president calling cherelle after your pressure and all of the things we've been reporting? >> to get that call from president biden and vice president harris, to know they read the letter and they're going to react and respond, this is great, great news. we hope to have more progress continue. >> reporter: in a desperate appeal, the two-time olympic gold medalist had written mr. biden two days ago. i'm terrified i might be here forever. facing a possible ten-year sentence, after russian authorities say vape cartridges containing cannabis oil were found in her luggage. now the president said he sent brittney a letter today responding t her handwritten plea that may relieve the pressure from griner's team and friends who are rallying in phoenix tonight. but not from the family of american businessman, paul whelan, who the u.s. says has bee

i know cherelle also met with the family of trevor reed, the u.s.imprisoned in russia for almost three years, who was released earlier this year. he has already called for her to be released. what did she tell you about their meeting? >> reporter: yeah, sara, she called it a club, a club that i think none of these families want to be in. the families of americans who are wrongfully detained abroad and they comfort each other. they communicate with each other. and they give each other advice, lessons learned. she talked about meeting families whose loved ones have been detained for years. and she thought to herself just the thought of that would break her, that if she were in this position for years, it would ultimately break her. she said there were a couple of main lessons she took away from some of these conversations from the family of trevor reed himself. she said one of them was to not be quiet. at the beginning of brittney griner's detention, they didn't say a whole lot. they were being quiet waiting for there to be more behind the scenes acti

we should note that cherelle griner said she was incredibly grateful for the call that president bideno her yesterday. talked about the fact that she is very confident that they are working as hard as they can to bring home her wife brittney griner who is facing her second trial on drug charges in russia today. i do want to read to you what the nse said in response to some of the criticism they are getting, saying, quote, president biden has been clear about the need to secure the release of paul whelan and brittney griner as soon as possible as well as the release of other u.s. nationals who are wrongfully detained or held hostage in russia and around the world. clearly this is a space to watch, but the biden administration making it very clear yesterday that they are trying to reach out to these families and assure them that it is a whole of government approach to get the families home. >> that's what they're asking for. they're not convinced that flari hearing from the president would make a difference but they want to see consistent policy across the board. thank you. >>> still to

griner's wife, cherelle, in particular, accuse the white house of wasting time. wednesday after receiving a handwritten letter from britney on the 4th of july, ensuring her that they're working to bring her home. at a rally, that same, night cherelle express your continued frustration. >> i'm frustrated. i'm frustrated that 140 days have passed since my wife has been able to speak to me, to our family, and to our friends. i'm frustrated that my wife is not going to get justice. >> and unfortunately, britney griner is in the only american currently detained in russia. paul whelan, former marine, has been held there for nearly four years. he's currently serving with the u.s. government sir -- for espionage. once more, we learned sister says the biden ministration is yet to contact her family. let's not forget the americans wrongfully detained outside of russia either. -- has been held in an iranian prison since 2015. and just last week, he wrote a scathing new york times as -- chastising the white house. quote, i am compelled to break that silence now because i bel

. >> reporter: cherelle griner speaking out after the phoenix mercury player made that surprise admission thursday, telling a russian court how cartridges of hashish oil ended up in her luggage. >> i was in a rush packing, and the cartridges accidentally ended up in my bag. >> reporter: tonight supporters joining cherelle griner as she urged leniency in chicago just days before the wnba all-star game. the league naming griner an honorary all star. >> she has the wholehearted and unconditional support of the entire wnba. >> reporter: whit, experts say that guilty plea could help speed up the court process for griner, and with the white house facing mounting pressures to help griner and other american detainees, tonight we're learning president biden called paul whelan's sister. whit? >> janai, thank you. >>> tonight some encouraging economic news amid concerns about runaway inflation and a volatile stock market. the nation added 372,000 jobs in june, exceeding expectations. unemployment remaining low at 3.6%. >>> when we come back here, the incredible landing. a small plane with engine fai

i'm glad to see president biden and vice president harris call cherelle.ll they can. i am in conversations with the white house and the state department and reaching out and having several conversations with the russian orthodox church here. there ought to be a place in this world that goes above our conflicts and adversity. sports is one of them. for many years, britney griner went to play sports, played basketball, in russia, for russia, largely because woodman basketball players don't get paid the same as men, and that's an issue we also have to deal with. sports rises above the borders and boundaries of our disputes and even our wars. we want that is -- hearing the appeal of this president has now cherelle and all of us stand saying, bring brittany home, bring her home. let's have some areas that we do not mingle without international and political disputes. we will be right back and politica tailgates... holiday parties... even retirement parties. man, i love parties. subway keeps refreshing and refreshing disputes disputes we will be right cooold cut

that's what cherelle griner deserved and hopeful that other families get the same opportunity.s to stand by the administration. our commander in chief. our vice president harris and let them know that we encourage and support all efforts to they will undertake to bring our citizens home. >> thank you for your time. >> thank you. >>> two former of president trump's biggest foes were the sunt of tax audits. one said his was no coincidence. we have new details next. lactaid is 100% real milk, just without the lactose. tastes great in our iced coffees too. which makes waking up at 5 a.m. to milk the cows a little easier. (moo) mabel says for you, it's more like 5:15. ma mom, really? psoriatic arthritis, made my joints stiff, swollen, painful. emerge tremfyant®. tremfya® is approved to help reduce joint symptoms in adults with active psoriatic arthritis. some patients even felt less fatigued. serious allergic reactions may occur. tremfya® may increase your risk of infections and lower your ability to fight them. tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms or if you had a v

president biden also read cherelle a letter he wrote to the basketball star. this comes just days after griner wrote a letter to president biden imploring him not to forget her or any of the other detainees held in russian captivity. griner's expected to appear in court on july 14th for the third of our trial. so what legal options does he have looking forward? a russian lawyer said she may seek up an appeal or even clemency once the verdict is delivered. there are also reports that crime in or could be part of a russian's a prisoner swap. perhaps an exchange for victor bout a notorious russian arms dealer known as the merchant of death. moscow and the u.s. state department are remaining tightlipped about any such negotiations. coming up on this hour of a man, two recent police encounters demonstrate again that america is too vastly different systems of justice. plus, georgia's grand jury zeroes in ontrumps inner circle my conversation with director -- about his recent success and muslim representation in hollywood. i'm ayman let's get started. >> just hours a

but we know that this week that president biden and vice president harris spoke with cherelle grinert president biden sent a letter to brittney griner through, you know, u.s. representatives in russia. we don't know what was said in that letter, but i'm also told tonight that president biden actually read the contents of a draft of that letter to cherelle griner in their phone conversation yesterday. that is, i think, a sign of their effort to reassure the griner family that a lot of effort is being put into bringing her home. of course this is just the beginning, still, of that process. but that is what i'm learning tonight, that president biden actually read the contents of that letter that he sent to brittney griner to her wife yesterday. >> and what's next in terms of actual sentencing? >> so, we're learning today from brittney griner's attorneys in russia that they expect that this trial will end by the beginning of august. so, even though she pleads guilty, there will still be a trial. and hopefully at the end of that trial, i think what they're hoping is that whatever the resu

. >> that's an emotional cherelle griner, the wife of wnba star brittney griner speaking at a home rallythe phoenix mercury's footprint center yesterday. the rally in downtown phoenix following a call to cherelle from president biden and vice president harris assuring her that the administration is working to secure brittney griner's release as soon as possible. according to a white house readout of the call, the president offered his support and committed to ensuring they're provided with all possible assistance while his administration pursues every avenue to bring her home. it also said biden planned to send a letter directly to griner who is tried on drug smuggling charges in russia. the call follows increased pressure on the administration to speak out about the case including a personal appeal to the president and a handwritten letter and media interviews by her wife that had criticized the administration's handling of the matter. she expressed a statement on instagram expressing gratitude, while i will remain concerned and outspoken until she is back home, i am hopeful in knowing

for cherelle's sake and brittany's sake, they can sleep a little bit easier tonight but not any otherntil she's home will she get that peaceful sleep that we all want her to have? >> as you know, there was a really powerful letter signed by so many people, so many black women, concerned about brittney griner and that is a very large group of people that goes even beyond black women as you well know, and part of the letter talked about the idea of her playing overseas in part because of pay inequities here in the united states of america that bought her to play for the russian team and listen to what brittney griner's head coach had to say this very week about her still being detained. listen to what she had to say. >> if it was iran, she would be home. if it was the statement of a value about a black person or gay person or woman. and we know it and so that's what hurts a little more. >> what's your reaction to that? do you agree? >> well, i mean, there's a lot of things that were said in that answer to the question that she was asked. i think the most important thing is we have an am

as president of national action -- join cherelle in chicago for a press conference on friday.is what she had to say. >> i want to make it very clear that our next move as supporters for bg is to make sure that the administration knows that they have our full support in doing any and everything necessary to be able to bring her home, as well as every other wrongfully detained american. >> president biden has made a commitment to do whatever is necessary in this case. and i will continue to push the administration until brittani is returned home. i got involved because after i mentioned this case here on politics nation a couple of months ago, there was radio silence. now, there is momentum and i plan to do all i can to help. i have even reached out to the russian orthodox church and the white house to organize a clergy visit to go and pray with or for britney in russia. i hope this case will help people understand that sports and faith go beyond borders. they transcend politics and even wore. let's have some areas where we put our differences aside and come together. she travel

griner's wife cherelle is on edge. >> she's walking into a situation where they are judicial system has. so, in their system, there is no innocent, in their system and is guilty. >> the u.s. considers griner wrongfully detained, embassy staff were with her in court. >> she asked me to convey that she is in good spirits, and she is keeping up the -- >> we spoke to don staley, griner's olympic coach and friend. it certainly seems this has been very difficult, for one thing she is six foot nine, and they have her traveling back and forth in a cage. >> you see britney appear in court, or outside of court, or walking in and being handcuffed. you just feel for her. she is a free spirited woman who is -- who has a great heart. >> the state department says free britney is a top priority, but cherelle griner so the rhetoric and actions do not match. she was a meeting with president biden. >> the most beneficial thing i have been told is that, you know, you need president biden. he has that power. he is the person, you know, that ultimately will make that decision for bg to come home. >> russian

you heard brittani's wife cherelle, who wants to make a deal for her release with the president.ussia's denying that she's being held hostage, so where does this leave any effort to try to secure her release? they are saying, this is the legal issue for us. >> well, yeah of course they're going to say that. and there may be some grounds for it by the way. i don't want to prejudge what they found. i know that their system is not fair, but according to their laws, they might have a case. i don't pretend you know the answer to that. what i do know is that there have been instances where we have done a swaps. so when people say it's unprecedented, and never can happen, because it creates precedents that other people be arrested, that is just not true. in fact, it should give people some hope that just recently there was one. for trevor reed, for konstantin -- . that just happened, the biden ministration made that happen. i know mr. yaroshenko, he was arrested when i was ambassador. we talked about him many times, and they finally decided to do that. that trade. so victory was also ar

drug charges but said it was accidental, just one day after president biden spoke with her wife cherelle by phone. her plea to perhaps accelerate the end of the trial, perhaps lead to negotiations to her release. we'll have more coming up this afternoon at the white house. the president awarded the medal of freedom to 17 americans for their dedication to the nation. denzel washington, gold medal ayes simone biles, gabby giffords, simone campbell and steve jobs and john mccain post posthumously. we begin with keir simmons, doug has worked with johnson in the past and welcome to you all. sir peter is also author of "they call it diplomacy." and now a big welcome to all including keir, first of all, boris johnson fiercely fighting this for weeks. so what finally pushed him to this decision? >> reporter: yeah, well, i think in the end it became inevitable, andrea, just to give you an example the morning news show on the radio this morning that is an opinion leader, if you like, said seven ministers have resigned and had to correct themselves, we mean seven ministers have resigned since we've

how long she may still have to be in russia. >> the family, and even when i spoke with her wife, cherelleintervention by the president directly and meeting with the present directly's would help get trevor -- home who was detained in russia for years. that's why they want the personal meeting. reverend al sharpton has called for a prayer visit he's urging secretary blinken to bring himself and face litters to russia -- so we can pray over britney in person in prison. so they can see her and speak with her. but you've had other people who have barren very critical, griner's coach. vanessa nygard has compared situation to -- saying if it was lebron james, he would be home. it's a statement but the values of women, the value of black people. the value of a gay person. all of those things, it hurts a little bit more. the family seems to understand that meeting the president personally is a thing that gets them over the top. do they also, are they also thinking about the cost, right? there was a trade for trevor reed. and the person that allegedly russia wants to trade brittney griner for is a

. >> reporter: this morning, brittney griner's wife cherelle speaking out for the first time since herty to drug charges in russia. cherelle griner embracing the wave of support from around the world and thanking the biden administration for their work to help bring brittney home. just this week the president responding to griner's handwritten plea to intervene. >> i want to make it very clear that our next move as supporters for bg is to make sure that the administration understands that they have our full support. >> reporter: griner joined by al sharpton during a chicago press conference urging leniency for the wnba star who faces ten years in a russian prison. >> there ought to be a place where conflicts stop and where the politics stop. >> reporter: grasping a photo of her wife, a shackled brittney griner pleading guilty thursday after russian police say they found vape cartridges in her luggage containing hashish oil, which is illegal in russia. griner telling the court, it was a mistake. >> i was in a rush packing, and the cartridges accidentally ended up in my bag. i would like

in an interview on cbs mornings her wife cherelle griner says she is done letting the government handle things behind the scenes. >> i will not be quiet any more. i will find that balance of, you know, harm versus help in pushing our government to do everything that's possible because being quiet they are not moving, they are not doing anything. >> reporter: a national security council spokesperson tells cbs news the u.s. government continues to work aggressively using every available means to bring her home. but griner's wife is still waiting for a direct response from president biden. >> i still have not heard from him and honestly it's very disheartening. >> reporter: in the letter, which was delivered on the fourth of july, griner wrote freedom means something completely different to her this year. michael george, cbs news, new york. >>> still ahead on kpix 5 and screaming on "cbs news bay area," how the san jose sharks are breaking ground in national hockey leadership. >>> plus this. >> just do you and do the best that you can do. >> a labor of love through lemonade. how this bay a

i felt a little more comfort once i heard that biden's administration reached out to cherelle grinere exhausting every option they could, but i felt like the sense of urgency should have been before that. she's someone that has, you know, played for her country and represented her country at the highest fashion. she's someone that should be at the top of everybody's thoughts and minds when it comes to actually getting her home safely. >> to be honest, coach, it didn't seem that way when you made those comments. it made a difference. it certainly seems to have. and now biden signing the executive order. he has spoken with brittney's wife cherelle and bill richardson is also getting involved travel to moscow to try to negotiate her release. has your opinion of how her case is being handled changed? have they in some fundamental way upped the ante? >> i mean, i still feel the same until she gets home. i think the pressure should be on them to do whatever the they could do and whatever they can do. it does give me some comfort that she is at the top of their minds. i won't feel, you know

and in an exclusive interview, her wife cherelle told me that that is just not enough. >> it is reallye doing some of the hardest things many in my life right now without her here and single day being my friend. she has a gazillion fans and all those people that care about her, i don't have that, i have her, she is my biggest fan. [ indistinct conversations ] ♪ hey, class. this is lily. ♪ when you see things differently, you can be the difference. welcome. capella university looks at education differently. our flexpath learning format helps you control the pace and cost of your master's degree. make your difference with capella university. >>> wnba star brittney griner has been in a russian prison for nearly five months. and her trial on drug-related charges officially began on friday. the u.s. says she is being wrongfully detained, but her case is now caught up in worsening geopolitical tensions between russia and the west, and if convicted, griner faces ten years in a russian penal colony and i spoke with griner's wife, cherelle, this past week and asked whether she thinks the united

. >> reporter: her wife cherelle saying she's losing trust in the u.s.ernment telling cnn, griner reached out to the embassy in russia multiple times and no one responded. >> bg can call our government, the embassy 11 times, and that phone call don't get answered? you don't have my trust at that point. >> reporter: brittney griner's wife telling our robin roberts that she wants answers. >> you say she's top priority but i want to see it, and i feel like to see it would be e seeing bg on u.s. soil. >> reporter: now, cherelle has been asking to meet with president biden directly. it is going to be a tough battle to bring griner home because in russia less than 1% of defendants in criminal cases get acquitted. now, her next court appearance is due to take place on thursday. janai? >> all right, lama, thank you. >>> staying overseas now, but turning to the war in ukraine, this morning, president zelenskyy is accusing russia of purposeful terror. new deaths reported from the missile strike on an apartment building in odesa. abc's tom soufi burridge is in ukra

. >> for weeks now cherelle greiner and the team have been asking for more to be done.een advised by trevor reed and his family, the former marine who got out of the prison in russia in a prisoner swap but only after trevor reed's family had gone to the white house and protested outside and protested in texas separately when the president was protesting there on another trip. they persuaded her you've got to go right to the president. finally today she got that call just hours before her team, the phoenix mercury, will be rallying for her in phoenix and i was on the air with vanessa nygaard, her head coach and broke the story that this all had taken place that the vice president harris was on the call, that the president said, as you just reported, that he's written a letter back to brittney, to her emotional appeal, saying she was terrified she was going to spend the rest of hadar life there. this is how vanessa responded. >> the news today is that the president has responded, has spoken to cherelle and is going to continue to push for her return is probably the best n

which would be welcomed with open arms by britney's wife cherelle, who laid bare her broken heart bring brittany home rally in phoenix. >> i can't rest as her humanity. it's been stripped from her. i can't rest as her safety is in question. i honestly can't rest until she's home. >> president biden spoke with shero wednesday and has exchanged written correspondence with britney in an off camera briefing. the white house insisted that the president is doing all he can. he receives daily updates about the status of for negotiations to secure brittney's released and the u.s. government continues to work aggressively using every available means to bring her home along with other wrongfully detained americans. >> gerke reporting for us tonight. there are fears very real fears russia could use griner's a bargaining chip to try to negotiate the release of high profile russians in u.s. custody griner's next court date is set for july 14th. we now welcome our legal analyst paula canny paula. >> good news, bad news. i mean, everything we hear about the court and >> russia's that 99% end up being

second day of her trial, wnba superstar brittney griner, handcuffed and carrying a photo of her wife, cherelle, pleading guilty to charges of drug smuggling four months after russian authorities found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. >> she admitted that it was her, hers but she said that it was unintentionally brought to russia. because she was in a hurry as she was packing. >> reporter: the charge against the two-time olympic gold medalist carries a possible ten-year prison sentence. is there some hope this could either shorten the sentence, get her some leniency, or even motivate them to begin negotiating >> being that there was a plea does make us hopeful that this process will continue to move forward. >> reporter: friends are worried about how griner would hold up locked in a russian jail for weeks or even months more during a lengthy trial, ending in almost certain conviction and today the russians said they wouldn't even talk about a prisoner swap until the trial is over. >> i think this was a strategy to speed up that process that can sometimes take in their sys

. >> reporter: her wife, cherelle sitting courtside is a message. >> i'm so grateful that everybody in this arena is still remembering my wife. >> reporter: brittney griner, thousands of miles away, locked in a russian prison, but present in this arena tonight. >> february 17th -- >> reporter: a video documenting her journey from february until now playing at halftime >> we need her home. >> we need to get her back home. she deserves to be home >> we are, b.g., will not be exhausted >> reporter: players wearing jerseys with griner's name and number, 42 griner was detained at a moscow airport for allegedly having vape cartridges containing cannabis oil griner pleading guilty late last week >> it was unintentionally brought to russia, because she was in a hurry as she was packing. >> reporter: her attorney hoping that plea expedites the process getting her closer to possibly being released as the kremlin says they won't discuss next steps until the trial is over. in a phone call with griner's wife, president biden and vice president harris assuring her they're doing everything they can t

do you want to say something to cherelle? >> good luck on the bar exam >> reporter: pressure now building to free griner and american paul whelan who is being held by the kremlin after an espionage trial the u.s. called a mockery. >> i know what they went through. >> reporter: trevor reed spent nearly three years in russian prison on charges of assaulting a police officer which he denied released in april, the former marine's mission now to push to get others like griner and whelan released. is the white house is the president doing enough in your view to get them out >> i can't say 100% what white house is or is not doing but in my opinion, the white house has the ability to get them out extremely fast, and they clearly have chosen not to do that. >> reporter: making clear he's grateful to president biden for getting him home, but frustrated others still are not. if you could get a message to brittney griner, what would you tell her right now >> that she has a huge base of support in the united states who is fighting for her

griner's wife, cherelle griner says the white house is not doing enough to secure brunt of britney's detained the 31 year-old basketball star back in mid february, accusing her of having a vape cartridge filled with hasheesh oil in her luggage at an airport near moscow. in sports, the sharks have a new general manager and the higher also makes nhl history. helen mill >> some 4th of july travelers are just now returning home after a tumultuous weekend at airports across the country. airlines canceled more than 2200 u.s. flights this holiday weekend. and more than 25,000 flights were delayed. more than 9 million passengers passed through the nation's airports between thursday and sunday. t ace tsa reported a peak of 2 and a half million on friday. that is a pandemic era record. experts say travel demand recovered faster than airlines expected. at our 4 zone forecast. as we give you a live look at to where the airline action is in the bay area. one of the many ways sfo. right. our chief meteorologist lawrence karnow is here with a travel forecast. yeah, traveling around the u.s. as we m

. >> reporter: her wife cherelle sitting courtside with a message. >> i'm just so grateful that everybody in this arena is actually still remembering my wife. >> reporter: brittney griner thousands of miles away, locked in a russian prison, but present in this video. a video douccumenting her journ untill now. >> she needs to be home. >> we need to get her back home. >> reporter: players have jerseys with her name and the number 42. griner was detained at a moscow airport for allegedly having vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. >> it was accidentally brought to russia because she was in a hurry as she was packing. >> reporter: her attorney hopes it expedites the process, getting her closer to getting released the kremlin said they won't discuss next steps until the trial is over. in a phone call with griner's wife, president biden and vice president harris assuring her they're doing everything to get her home. >> they're making sure they have our support to do everything to bring her back home. >> reporter: family and fans waiting and hoping for her return meagan fitzgerald, nbc news

her wife cherelle told gayle king this morning that the government's efforts behind the scenes to freeare not working. >> i will not be quiet anymore. i will find that balance of, you know, harm versus help in pushing our government to do everything that's possible. >> griner's trial started last week. >>> the investigation into whether there was criminal interference in the 2020 presidential election took a significant turn today when a georgia prosecutor subpoenaed several members of former president trump's inner circling. they included rudy giuliani, mr. trump's personal lawyer and lindsey graham, who made phone calls to georgia secretary of state asking him to take a look at some absentee ballots. >>> a large wildfire is burning this the mountains of california about 50 miles southeast of sacramento. the fire began yesterday, k consuming more than 3,000 acres. it may have been sparked by a barbecue or fireworks. power has been knocked out for about 15,000 customers. >>> days of rain has inundated sydney and its surrounding areas. a flood emergency is in effect. the fourth in the l

which would be welcomed with open arms by britney's wife cherelle, who laid bare her broken heart bring brittany home rally in phoenix. >> i can't rest as her humanity. it's been stripped from her. i can't rest as her safety is in question. i honestly can't rest until she's home. >> president biden spoke with shero wednesday and has exchanged written correspondence with britney in an off camera briefing. the white house insisted the president is doing all he can. >> he receives daily updates about the status of for negotiations to secure brittney's released and the u.s. government continues to work aggressively using every available means to bring her home along with other wrongfully detained americans. >> for 46 is the time here on the kron. 4 morning news. let's join john in the weather center. find out about the forecast as we're happy. it's a friday morning. looking forward to a weekend looking forward to how the week is going weather jean biden, the end of the weekend. well, that's not going to be as much fun as the start of it. weather wise anyways today and tomorrow definitely ar

the president and vice president spoke over the phone with cherelle griner. they assured her they're working to release her from a russian prison as soon as possible. this after a letter she wrote to the president expressing her fear. griner has been detained in russia for allegedly possessing cannabis oil since february. there will be a bring brittney griner rally home this evening. greg stanton will make an appearance. he has been vocal about calling for griner's release from prison. griner's wife sherelle is also expected to speak at that rally. >>> president biden says he is trying to prevent another baby formula shortage. the fda expected to keep plans to keep working with overseas formula providers. back in may biden used the defense production act to fly formula to the u.s. this new law would allow those to stay past the bill in november. >>> united airlines says there are more flights this summer that air traffic controllers can handle. the ceo of the company sent a memo to the staff voicing those frustrations. he said things are especially bad in new

they showed a video honoring her and her wife cherelle spoke to the crowd, telling fans she is grateful their support >>> it has been more than two weeks since the supreme court overturned federal abortion rights and yesterday president biden said he is considering declaring a public health emergency to protect reproductive freedom the move could free up federal resources to expand abortion access >> because keep making your point. it's critically important. we can do a lot of things to accommodate the rights of women. in the meantime, fundamentally, the only thing that's going change this is if we have a national law of united states roe v. wade. >> he urged those on the front lines to keep up the fight more protests are planned for today in front of the supreme court. >>> a pregnant woman in texas is telling her story after she got a ticket for driving alone in an hov lane even though she told the officer her unborn child was her second passenger. the woman, identified as brandy patone told nbc dallas-fort worth that the incident happened last month when she was stopped at a sheriff's

which would be welcomed with open arms by britney's wife cherelle, who laid bare her broken heart bringany home rally in phoenix. >> i can't rest as her humanity. it's been stripped from her. i can't rest as her safety is in question. i honestly can't rest until she's home. >> president biden spoke with shero wednesday and has exchanged written correspondence with britney in an off camera briefing. the white house insisted the president is doing all he can. he receives daily updates about the status of for negotiations to secure brittney's released and the u.s. government continues to work aggressively using every available means to bring her home along with other wrongfully detained americans. >> that was paul gerke reporting for us tonight. today, former minneapolis police officer derek chauvin was sentenced to 21 years in prison on the federal charge that he violated george floyd's civil rights chauvin pleaded guilty to the charges last december. he is already serving a separate 22 and a half year sentence for his murder conviction last year on the state charges for murdering murderi

the spotlight to make sure griner isn't forgotten they showed a video honoring her, and her wife cherelle spoke to the crowd telling fans she is grateful for their support >>> a tropical disturbance in the gulf worth keeping an eye on michelle grossman joins us on this monday. happy monday, michelle >> happy monday, guys. we're going to be watching this system over the next few days. it's going to be slow to develop, but it could pick up tropical characteristics either way heavy rains along the gulf coast over the next three, four days. let's take a look at what's happening in the gulf. we have a system that's going to sink to the south, and we're going see it moving very, very slowly it's going to bring the threat of strong winds gusting and heavy rain we could see rain up to 5 inches in some spots. bringing scattered rain from texas to the carolinas we could see 2 inches of rain per hour we could see some flooding rains as well. wednesday the ground is going to be so wet, saturated soil, more rain is going to lead to the risk for flash flooding that could happen in parts of georgia and

her wife cherelle told gayle king this morning that the government's mind the scenes efforts to freere not working. >> i will not be quiet anymore, i will find that balance of, you know, harm versus help in pushing our government to do everything possible. >> garrett: girn griner's trial started last week. the investigation into whether there was criminal interference in the 2020 election took a turn today when a georgia prosecutor subpoenaed several members of former president trump's former circle including rudy giuliani will trump's personal lawyer and senator lindsey graham a trump ally who made phone calls to georgia secretary of state asking him to look a second time at absentee ballots. up next, firefighters strigle to get a california wildfire under control. my a1c stayed here, it needed to be here. ruby's a1c is down with rybelsus®. my a1c wasn't at goal, now i'm down with rybelsus®. mom's a1c is down with rybelsus®. (♪ ♪) in a clinical study, once-daily rybelsus® significantly lowered a1c better than a leading branded pill. rybelsus® isn't for people with type 1 diabetes. d

the white house saying, the president called cherelle to reassure her that he is working to secure brittney's release. as soon as possible. >> let's make sure this administration knows they have our support to do whatever is necessary and that we are not going to ever be quiet until she's home safely. >> reporter: but the family of paul whelan, an american detained in russia since 2018, is slamming the president saying he's never called them. whelan's sister tweeting, still looking for that press release saying president biden has spoken to anyone in our family about paul whelan wrongfully detained in russia for 3 1/2 years. more than 1,000 black women leaders also wrote to president biden urging him to make a deal to bring griner home. she could face ten years in prison if convicted of carrying vape cartridges with cannabis oil through a russian airport. mona. >> em, thank you. >>> a major story breaking overseas in the uk. british prime minister boris johnson is now expected to pres. he's been under pressure for how he handled a government official's misconduct scandal. more than 40 of his

reporter: griner walking into the second day of her trial handcuffed, carrying a photo of her wife, cherelle. it's been 140 days since griner was detained, arrested at the airport for carrying vape cartridges containing hashish oil. now facing up to ten years in prison. >> but i had no intention on breaking any russian law. i was in a rush packing and the cartridges accidentally ended up in my bag. >> reporter: like many athletes, griner spends the offseason playing overseas, where she can earn more than her wnba salary. >> we are hoping for the softest sentence possible. >> reporter: and experts beleive that guilty plea might be part of a strategy. >> the only way to get to a potential prisoner swap would be to have her properly convicted in a russian court so that the russians can then negotiate. >> reporter: just days ago, the two-time 0 limb olympian wrote to president biden, pleading for help, saying, "i'm terrified i might be here forever." today the president's response hand delivered to griner. >> i was able to share with ms. griner a letter from president biden, and ms. griner was a