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

>> 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

they are begrudging the griners for getting this phone call yesterday from president biden to cherelle griner, but what they are saying is they want equal attention. and so that is sort of where the rubber hits the road here. it will be interesting to see if the biden administration puts president biden on the phone with some of these other families, now that they're so publicly asking for that attention because it that be given to cherelle griner. we should note that cherelle griner said she was incredibly grateful for the call that president biden and the vice president made to 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

. >> 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

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

but we know that this week that president biden and vice president harris spoke with cherelle griner 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 resul

amy: this week president biden and vice president harris spoke with cherelle griner in their first one-to-onect after griner wrote a letter to biden pleading for him not to forget about her. the call came more than two weeks after the state department botched a plan to have the couple speak by phone on their fourth wedding anniversary. white house press secretary karine jean-pierre was asked about griner's case thursday. >> we believe that the russian federation is holding -- is wrongfully -- has wrongfully detained brittney griner and she is an intolerable circumstances right now and we're going to do everything we can. the president has this type of mind to make sure we get brittney home safely and also paul whelan, in important priority of the president. amy: in april, russia released of trevor reed, a former u.s. marine, as part of a prisoner exchange with russia. after thursday's court appearance by griner, the wnba players association said in statement that "the wnbpa stands with brittney griner" and griner also got support from u.s. women's soccer star megan rapinoe thursday during the

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

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

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

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

>> reporter: this is a very emotional week for cherelle griner and for brittney griner's family. y'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 the

. >> 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

. >> 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

but then when cherelle griner, the wife of britney griner came on my radio show and talked about hearingll she was promised with brittani, and they were concerned, that is why i went in, raising wet we could in our voice asking to be able to go to russia. and seeing all the -- ought to be dealt with. i'm glad to see president biden and vice president harris call cherelle. i'm glad they are saying that they can do all 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 brit

including in the readout of that call that president biden and vice president harp is had with cherelle grineray. they will have to deal with not just with griner but all of those families. >> thanks so much, carol lee. thanks to nancy lieberman. >>> closing its doors the mississippi abortion clinic at the center of the dobbs supreme court case officially shuts down today. what's next for the staff and for the women, their clients, the patients. this is "andrea mitchell reports" only on msnbc. is "andl reports" only on msnbc it's still the eat fresh refresh, and now subway's refreshing their italians. like the new supreme meats, topped high with new italian-style capicola. that's one handsome italian. uh... thanks. not you, garoppolo! ♪♪ subway keeps refreshing and refreshing and refres- liberty mutual customizes your car insurance, so you only pay for what you need. [ sfx: submarine rising out of water ] minions are bitin' today. ♪ liberty. liberty. liberty. liberty. ♪ minions: the rise of gru, only in theaters. >>> toetd the today the abortion clinic at the center of the women's health right

. >> and you can see more of abby phillips's exclusiven't view with cherelle griner. joining me from washington, d.c. is jill dougherty. adjunct professor at georgetown university and a cnn contributor. also former cnn moscow bureau chief. good to see you again, jill. let's start with how big of a bargaining chip is she for vladimir putin and what might he want in exchange for her? of course the arms dealer viktor but, his name keeps coming up. >> she's a significant person. she is a major sports figure. she's, you know, in the public eye. interestingly, you know, she was going to russia to play, which is what happens with some female athletes in basketball in the united states. but she's really kind of -- you know, she's a significant person. and as to what would happen, yes. i mean, the prime person that you would immediately think that the russians would want to trade her for would be viktor but. back in 2002 i interviewed viktor but in the moscow bureau and at that point he was a wanted man. and still to this day is one of the biggest, you know, convicted arms dea

cherelle griner has been publicly asking for her release. >> i continue to ask for help to fight for return home. let's make sure the administration knows they have our support to do whatever is necessary and we're not going to be quiet. >> reporter: now, jake, they'll be a fourth hearing as part of the ongoing trial tomorrow. tomorrow will focus on written evidence. we aren't expecting a verdict or sentencing tomorrow, but we should note that these drug offenses are punishable with ten years in prison. that's something griner is facing. last year there was another american who was arrested in russia for the same thing, having cannabis oil and he was sentenced to 14 years in prison just last month. so not a great signal in terms of the direction that things could be headed here. >> kailee, thank you so much. her former teammates here in the united states continue to push for her release. joining us now, sue bird. you've played with britteny griner on the u.s. women's national basketball team. you've played in the wnba for years. how are you and other teammates dealing with this horri

griner. sir, thank you so much for being with us. you hear cherelleing to feel desperate, i think that has been beginning for a while and you really feel it in that interview. what do you say to her? >> my heart goes out to her. this is a terrible situation for any american detained abroad and brittany has been wrongfully detained now for four and a half months. obviously with this sham trial going on, this is a heartbreaking situation. but i would like to try to reassure as much as i can having worked with the state department and been in multiple meetings with them and knowing the team that is working on this that everything possible that can be done to bring her home is being done. >> she's not wrong that elevating this to the presidential level is what gets stuff moving. have you asked the white house, have you asked that president biden meet with her? >> well, there is a process for this. we are trying to get her out and we're working with a hostile government and we're in negotiations with them around that. and so this is going to work its way t

the president hasn't written back to britney griner and spoken with her wife cherelle griner, who expressed hope and resolve to -- and wrongfully detained americans in russia. here she is at a press conference yesterday. >> i want to make it very clear that our next move in supporting bg's to make sure the administration understands as they have our full support in doing anything and everything is necessary to bring bg hone and as well as any of the lawfully unlawfully obtained detained american. >> -- he's a national action president and host of ms beasts politicsnation. reverend al, thank you for being here. paul whelan does another prisoner detained. his brother just cried the deplorable conditions he was living. and you mentioned it yesterday's press conference that britney does not have access to the news that isn't aware of the million standing with her. can you speak to the level of isolation that griner is experiencing right now? do you have a sense of the conditions that she's being held in? >> well in speaking with cherelle his or wife, i know that she has not been able to even ha

. >> you can see more of abby phillips interview with cherelle griner at 1:00 p.m.n london. >>> evidence suggests potential witness tampering ahead of last tuesday's block buster hearing on capitol hill. that dramatic testimony has now put a spotlight on the secret service and donald trump's behavior on january 6th. we'll have those details just ahead. >>> plus the july 4th weekend is off to a rocky start for travelers with hundreds of flight cancellations and the threat of storms across the country. i understand we have a new tropical storm, is that right? >> new at 5:00 a.m. this morning from the national hurricane center a new tropical storm has just formed off the coast of south carolina. couple that with our chances of severe weather across some of the most populated areas along the eastern sea board and we have the potential for major headaches at the airports. i'll update you for the fourth of july weekend forecast coming up after the break. with parodonx active gum health. it kills 99% of plaque bacteria and forms an antibacteririal shield. try parodontax ac

i look back to how my brother and of the advocacy for me like cherelle griner he was signaling his support to cooperate with u.s. government but when asked that question is the administration doing enough his answer was invariably wildlife brother is not home yet so they are not doing enough. unfortunately, what i have learned from my own case and that of so many since me is that you have to raise the public pressure and make this a matter of political concern to get the attention of administration to realize it is a political liability if you leave americans behind. no president going back more than half a century has dealt with this perfectly. it is a challenge each one has had to face and i'm hoping with the body of evidence and the number of cases that we are getting to a point where we can develop that policy and those mechanisms to make this much harder for authoritarian governments to do moving forward back jason, always a pleasure. thank you so much. >> thanks, fred. >>> starting to wonder if you are getting less serial in the box? you are not alone. it's called shrink inflation. i

biden's and harris' phone call to cherelle griner on wednesday came more than two weeks after the stateepartment botched a plan to have the couple speak by phone on their fourth wedding anniversary. it also came after brittney griner appealed directly to biden for help in a hand-written letter. white house press secretary karine jean-pierre said securing griner's release would be a top priority of the president. >> i can say the president did read the letter. i was there when he read the letter. this is something, brittney griner being held in moscow, we believe that federation -- she is been wrongfully detained in moscow at this time. this is an issue that is a priority for this president. amy: the biden administration said wednesday it will levy new sanctions against 15 individuals and entities allegedly linked to the illicit sale and shipment of iranian oil. the treasury department cited a 2018 executive order by then-president donald trump as the basis for the penalties. that's despite joe biden's criticism of trump's maximum pressure policy against iran during the 2020 presidential

>> the president had a chance to talk to cherelle griner, of course. that wasn't too long ago. with both families very, very closely throughout. we have kept them constantly informed of the status of the negotiations and the pace of the negotiations. we're going to keep doing that at various level, from secretary blinken to jake sullivan, the national security adviser, to josh get ser, our deputy homeland security adviser and, of course, the special envoy for hostage affairs. at all levels we're engaging the families. >> as far as an in-person meeting with the president, that's still tbd at the moment? >> i don't have a scheduled appointment today. we will stay constantly in touch at all levels. that has included the president. >> john kirby posted up on the white house north lawn. good to see you. >> you, too, hallie. >>> what the white house is doing to stop democratic rising stars from trying to grab the 2024 spotlight, and why some say it's not working. >>> first, another nbc news exclusive. a look inside one of the top secret u.s. warehouses with a look at crucial supplies

now, we also heard in recent days from her wife, cherelle griner, she expressed some frustration sayingials' rhetoric in this situation isn't matching what they are actually doing to bring her wife home. and the national security counsel spokesperson at the white house responded to this letter from griner yesterday, saying that president biden has been very clear about the need to bring all americans including griner home, saying they are working aggressively with all means to do so. but it was interesting yesterday to hear some comments from the coach of the phoenix mcercury. the coach of the basketball team she was playing on in the united states. she said if this was lebron, he would be home. she said, this is not just about an american wrongfully detained abroad, but this is about the fact that she is a woman, this is about a statement about the fact that she is a gay woman, a black woman, and that is one of the reasons why this is a little bit more hurtful in her words. boris? >> incredibly difficult time for the wnba star. we'll see what the u.s. government does to bring her home

organizations that have been very clear of our solidarity to stand with britney griner and her wife, cherelle grinerstration and ensuring that they do everything that they can to help bring her home. i think this administration has made it a priority, this president has personally conveyed that this is a priority to him, and i have faith that his administration is going to continue to do what it needs to do to bring her home. >> jotaka your organization received a shutout from the wnba's workers union, take a listen. >> we are standing here today because of the love and the support that we received not once, but twice from a mighty network of powerful black net women that represent every industry across this country, the wind with black women network. we want to publicly thank them again and again for mobilizing, to support bg, and bring greater awareness and urgency to this moment, right now. >> talk to me jotaka about that mobilization. what is the fight for britney griner mean to you, mean to your members? >> it means everything to us. brittani is one of us. brittani is not only -- first, she's 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

in a statement the white house says the president called cherelle griner to reassure her that he's workingre brittney's release as soon as possible during that call president biden read a draft of a letter that he planned to send to the two-time olympic gold medal winner. griner is facing prison on drug smuggling charges. russian authorities arrested griner at an airport near moscow back in february they claim she had hash oil vape cartridges in her luggage. the acquittal rate in russia is reportedly less than 1%. cnbc senior white house correspondent kayla tausche here now. what is the white house doing to get griner out of russia >> the president receives daily updates on griner's status and securing the release of wrongful detainees remains top of mind for president biden. aboard air force one today karine jean pierre says the u.s. government continues to work aggressively using every available means to bring her home along with other americans like paul whelan whelan was arrested in russia in late 2018 on espionage charges he's denied. president biden is directing his national security

>> once president biden and vice president harris spoke with cherelle griner, i was pretty pleased after moment. but before then we know that nothing -- nothing is going to take place until the president of the united states gets involved. once he got involved, i knew brittney was a priority, and moving forward, i don't think people were just sitting on their hands doing nothing. i know we're not privy to everything that goes on behind the scenes, but to hear secretary blinken actually say her name today, i can sleep a little bit easier knowing that everything in their power is being done to bring brittney and paul home. so i'm pretty satisfied, but i will be fully satisfied when both of them are home. >> coach, i got one more for you here. i just watched a conversation you had with jon stewart, and you offered an unorthodox option here for some influence. i see you smiling, you know where i'm going here. there was laughing around it, but there might be some who say maybe that's a plausible idea to rely on former president trump to reach out to vladimir putin because of their relationshi

>> 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

in chicago griner's wife cherelle thankful brittney griner hasn't been forgotten. >> thank you again for keeping my wife's name and legacy very visible while she's not here on u.s. soil. >> reporter: it's not griner's game but her detention in a russian prison that has been the focus of this weekend's wnba all-star game. she's facing ten years for allegedly traveling with vape cartridges containing hashish oil. >> i would like to plead guilty on the charges, but i had no intention on breaking any russian law. >> reporter: today she'll be an honorary starter as she sits in a cell 5,000 miles away. >> i would like again to emphasize the commitment of the united states government at the very highest levels to bring home safely ms. griner and all u.s. citizens wrongfully detained. >> reporter: experts say several challenges including the war in ukraine add complexity to the negotiations. >> this issue of foreign governments taking american citizens hostage is not new. if we don't address it now it's only going to get worse. >> reporter: richardson recently played a role in the release of

. >> that was cherelle griner, the wife of wnba star brittney griner, talking this morning about theure as her wife, griner, remains imprisoned in russia. griner and her loved ones are now turning up the pressure publicly on the biden administration. just yesterday, a letter from griner was delivered to president joe biden at the white house, begging him to do anything to bring her home. griner says, in the letter, that she is terrified. "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 accomplishments, i'm terrified i might be here forever." griner, the seven-time wnba all-star was detained near moscow in february, one week after russia's invasion and war in ukraine began and is currently facing up to ten years in prison in russia for alleged drug smuggling charges. joining us now, michael crowley, "new york times" diplomatic correspondent. you know, i read the letter. i understand. and we've all tried to cover this. in the beginning, it was very difficult to understand, really, the details of the

earlier this week, president biden and vice president harris spoke with cherelle assuring her that they are working to get griner home. 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 a

more than 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

the president responded with a phone call to griner's wife cherelle. the president is working to obtain her release and other nationals who are wrongly detained in russia and around the world. >> yes not going to ever be quiet until she is home safely. >> reporter: but hopes for a prisoner swap may be dim. the russian foreign ministry official warned thursday attempts by the american side to make noise in public don't help the practical settlement of issues. griner faces up to ten years in prison. trinity chavez, cbs news, new york. >>> former minneapolis police officer derek chauvin has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for violating george floyd's civil rights when he pinned him to the pavement. the sentence adds years to the sentence the former officer is already serving for his murder conviction as part of today's plea deal, he will be moved from a state prison where he is serving his sentence in solitary confinement to a federal prison. >> he had his knee on my brother's neck for 9:29. chauvin showed that he had no conscience. he showed no empa

griner. >> 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

. >> 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

griner b.g. >> 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

west, and if convicted, griner faces ten years in a russian penal colony and i spoke with griner's wife, cherelleek and asked whether she thinks the united states is doing everything it can to bring her wife home. >> no. i don't. and i hate to say that because i do trust 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. and the most beneficial thing i've been told is that, you know, you meet with president biden. he has that power. he is a person, you know, that ultimately will make that decision for b.g. to come home. so while everybody wants else to tell me they care, i would love for him to tell me he cares. >> and i also asked her about a rumored prisoner swap that could possibly end brittney griner's detention. >> you know, how big is your ask. is it something we would say yes to type thing and that scares me. because at this point, i want to be able to say yes to what they want because i want my wife back. so i'm hopeful because our government is t

griner's wife cherelle is on edge. >> she is walking into a situation where their judicial system hasa 99% conviction rate. so, in their system there is no innocent. in their system, it is guilty. >> the u.s. considers griner wrongfully detained. embassy staff were with her in court. >> she asked me to convey that she isn't good spirits, and is keeping up faith. >> we spoke to griner's olympic coach and front. >> it certainly seems this is been very difficult. for one thing, she is six foot nine and they've got her traveling back and forth in a cage. >> you see britney appear in court, or outside of court, walking into being handcuffed. you just feel for her. she is a free spirited woman who has got a great heart. the state department says, freeing brittani is a top priority. but shrug reiner says, the rhetoric and actions don't match. she wants a meeting with president biden. the most beneficial thing that i have been told is that, you know, you meet with president biden. he has that power, he is a person that ultimately will make that decision very her to come home. >> russian media

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

meantime, cnn's abby phillips sat down for an exclusive interview with brittney griner's wife cherellenough to bring her home. >> it's really difficult. it's really, really difficult. you know, this is not a situation where you know, the rhetoric is matching the action. and so i can't just take the fact that this is somebody's job to bring home my wife and go off grid and focus to that degree. i can't do that. you know, i do have to unfortunately also push people to make sure the things they're telling me is also matching their actions. so it has been the hardest thing to balance because i can't let up because it's over 130 days. and bg is still not back. >> do you trust that the maximum amount of effort is being put forward to bring bg home? >> no, i don't. and i hate to say that because i do trust that they're -- 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. you know, when you have a situation where bg can call our government, the embas

griner's wife, cherelle echoed those fears this morning. >> it breaks me heart whenever i say that becausegest person that i know so she doesn't say words like that lightly. that means that she truly is terrified that she may never see us again and i share those same sentiments. >> griner has been detained in russia more than four and a half months after being arrested in a moscow airport for allegedly, allegedly, for possessing cannabis vape cart ridges. she faces up to ten years in prison and is expected back in court for a second hearing thursday. i'm joins by erin haines. erin, this letter was heart breaking. on the fourth of july, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a vietnam war veteran. it hurts thinking about how i usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year. has this letter to your knowledge been received by the white house? and what do brittney griner's family and friends want biden to directly do? >> well, joy, i spokesperson with the national security council y