Sunday, June 14, 2026
Vol. VIII
Est. 2019

The Mind Shield

News · Opinion · Politics · Analysis

Former CIA Director praises Biden-Harris administration over ‘unprecedented deal’ that freed Americans detained in Russia.

Former CIA Director praises Biden-Harris administration over ‘unprecedented deal’ that freed Americans detained in Russia.
President Joe Biden speaks about lowering health care costs in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washinagton, D.C., on April 3, 2024. (Photo by Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Former CIA Director John Brennan praised the Biden administration for their “remarkable display” of “successful” diplomacy after officials successfully negotiated a deal that released Americans wrongfully detained in Russia.

“It’s an unprecedented deal,” Brennan said told MSNBC’s ‘Deadline: White House’. “And it is a remarkable display of very effective and successful statecraft and diplomacy by the Biden-Harris administration.”

“This is the continuation of the ongoing dialogue between the United States and Russia about getting individuals released,” Brennan added.



Former Marine Paul Whelan, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza were released from detention in Russia on Thursday.

“Today, we celebrate the return of Paul, Evan, Alsu, and Vladimir and rejoice with their families. We remember all those still wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world,” Biden said in a statement.

I am grateful to our Allies who stood with us throughout tough, complex negotiations to achieve this outcome,” Biden said, adding that his administration “will not stop working until every American wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world is reunited with their family.