arthel: so, jonathan, back to brittney griner and paul whalen, could there come a time when diplomaticp and forceful persuasion begins? when will griner and whalen be released? could it be soon? >> griner, it may take some time because her situation involves, at least what the russians are claiming, are criminal activity. in the case of whalen also, he has been convicted, but it's a different scenario. so it very well could go on for some time. you know, the truth is the -- is being held by the russians -- arthel: how so? >> because they can drag this on for a very long time, you know? mr. reid was held for a very long time. we've had hostages held in iran for years. these situations, sadly, and it's so miserable for the families -- arthel: of course it is. >> and i'm glad we're discussing this now because these are human beings, fellow americans who are living day-to-day in this horrible situation with their loved ones worried to death about what may happen to them. but, sadly, these cases can go on for a very long time, and it takes really smart, clever negotiating to force this to t

ask we should also note there is another, paul whalen, who is still detained in russia as well.tained for more than two years now. and so, there are questions about there being a potential prisoner swap to get both lindsay and whalen home to the united states because of course we saw earlier this year that a prisoner swap got trevor reed released from russia, wolf. >> i take it the u.s. embassy are closely following what is going on ask staying in close touch with griner and her team, ri right? >> they are and a u.s. official tells me a u.s. diplomat is going toat that trial on behalff the u.s. government. >> let's hope she is released and released soon. kylie atted, thank you very much. >>> there is more breaking news coming up next. the fbi seizes the phone of former-trump election four john eastman as the house jarn january 6th select committee nount announces a surprise new hearing tomorrow. coming up next. >>> plus, much more of cnn z exclusive interview with vice president camera harris. it is the first interview since the u.s. supreme court overturned roe versus wade. lac

to work for the release of two other detained americans, britt brittany grir brittney griner and paul whalen support trying to bring her back, you know, to her family. >> reporter: stars like lebron james joining the push for griner's release tweeting our voice as athletes is stronger together. fans holding signs at games with phrases like free brittany. and now griner's wife had stayed relatively quiet but recently says she wants to speak to president biden. >> i just keep hearing that he has the power, she's a political pawn. so if they are holding her because they want you to do something, then i want you do it. >> reporter: griner has been jailed in russia since mid-february. russian authorities said that they found cannabis oil in her luggage at the airport. analysts say her advocates have more of a green light to speak out now ever since the u.s. government classified her as wrongfully detained. >> i think that there is a shift to let's speak about this. >> reporter: meanwhile a new win do from trevor reed into the conditions griner and whelan could be facing inside russian prisons. >>

so i ask my fellow colleagues to join me in fighting for the release of brittney griner, paul whalen, and, yes, many others held as hostages. and those who went voluntarily to volunteer to fight for democracy in ukraine that are now held. but i raise my voice for brittney griner today, a young woman born, raised in houston, texas, graduate of nimitz high school, family in houston who are in desperate need for us to pay attention for the very vial -- vile way she's now being held as a hostage in russia. i ask the russian people, i ask mr. putin to release these people. release them from this inappropriate detention, incarceration, and holding. release them now. let us pray with the family, release them now. release brittney griner, free brittney griner, renowned wnba player, olympian, but just a plain human being. an american. shown herself to love this country and to be such a wonderful, generous person that gives to others as many have said. my colleague, congressman stanton in arizona, my colleague, congressman allred and i will be presenting a resolution that says free brittney gri