Former NYPD commissioner on Brittney Griner: 'Putin got exactly what he wanted'

Former NYPD Commissioner Bernie Kerik said that Brittney Griner's release from prison is exactly what Putin wanted to happen. 

WNBA star Brittney Griner was released Thursday from a Russian prison in a prisoner exchange for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Griner was sentenced to prison back in August for nine years after being found guilty of smuggling and storing illegal drugs. 

"Putin got exactly what he wanted," Kerik said on Thursday's edition of the "Just the News, No Noise" TV show. "He knew that Joe Biden would fall for this woke trade if you will."

While many Americans are happy with Griner being able to go home to her family, questions have arisen about ex-Marine Paul Whelan who is still behind bars in Russia for espionage.

"The Marine should have been the guy to go," Kerik stated. "He's been there longer — he's somebody that fought for this country. Why aren't we fighting for him as much as we are fighting for Griner? I don't know."

Kerik said that Griner's homecoming should be celebrated, but that Putin got a good deal with this trade. 

"I'm happy for the Griner family," he said. "I'm happy Griner got out. But the bottom line is, Putin knew exactly what he was doing. He knew exactly what he was doing with this trade, and he held his guns until Biden went along with it. It's a shame."