White House national security communications adviser John Kirby hit back at former President Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), for making claims that Trump deserved credit for Thursday’s prisoner swap between Russia and the U.S., which included the freeing of Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich.
“There’s absolutely zero evidence at all that this deal was brought about because of some potential fear of who might be the next president,” Kirby told CNN’s Kate Bolduan.
On Thursday, Vance said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to the prisoner swap because of the potential of a Trump presidency.
“But we have to ask ourselves: Why are they coming home? And I think it’s because bad guys all over the world recognize Donald Trump’s about to be back in office, so they’re cleaning house,” Vance said. “That’s a good thing, and I think it’s a testament to Donald Trump’s strength.”
Kirby pushed back.
“This deal was brought about because the president had, President Biden had alliances and partnerships and trust he could build on, particularly with the German chancellor,” Kirby said.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed to release a known Russian assassin, Vadim Krasikov, who proved to be a linchpin in winning Russia’s approval of the deal to release the Americans and close to a dozen other people.
“That’s what brought these guys home, was really solid relationships and trusting confidence that the president has built up over years with foreign leaders and a lot of hard work and some tough decisions by some very strong leaders here in the United States and around the world,” he added.
Kirby also responded to Trump’s claims that the release was a “win for Putin” because the U.S. had released some “really bad guys.”
“I got out 59 different people, 59, and I didn’t pay money, and they allowed some really rough people out. You know that,” Trump said Friday morning.
Shortly after Biden announced the release, Trump posted on Truth Social pressing for details.
“So when are they going to release the details of the prisoner swap with Russia? How many people do we get versus them? Are we also paying them cash? Are they giving us cash (Please withdraw that question, because I’m sure the answer is NO)?” the former president asked in his post.
The U.S. did not pay for or receive any money as part of Thursday’s prisoner swap.
“The previous administration also conducted prisoner exchanges,” Kirby said in response to Trump’s claims. “The previous administration also had to make tough decisions to get Americans home.”
Kirby responded to Trump’s claims about his successes with prisoner releases, saying Biden has secured the freedom of Americans.
“I can’t dispute Mr. Trump’s number there, 59, but let me just tell you, President Biden has gotten more than 70 Americans home,” he added.
The White House and Biden have also dismissed Vance’s and other Republicans’ claim, with national security adviser Jake Sullivan saying he “does not follow” when reporters asked him about Vance’s claim.
During his remarks Thursday announcing the release, Biden responded to a reporter’s question about Trump by asking, “Why didn’t he do it when he was president?”