Joe Biden knows a bad decision when he sees it.
Despite warnings from a number of experts, Biden has freed notorious Russian terrorist arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is serving a 25-year sentence in a U.S. prison, in exchange for WNBA player Brittney Griner.
Griner was arrested at a Russian airport and admitted to drug possession and smuggling charges, which carry a penalty of 10 years in prison. She was sentenced to 9 years.
On the other hand, Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout is a violent criminal. He inspired the movie “Lord of War” starring Nicholas Cage.
Bout was found guilty of conspiracy to kill Americans, conspiracy to deliver anti-aircraft missiles, and aiding a terrorist organization.
He offered $20 million in weapons to a narco-terrorist group called Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.
Bout earned the nickname “Merchant of Death” because he gain notoriety for flying Soviet-era cargo planes to conflict-ridden hotspots in Africa. He was only roughly half-way through his sentence.
This “breathtaking arsenal of weapons” included hundreds of surface-to-air missiles, machine guns and sniper rifles. He also offered 10 million rounds of ammunition and five tons of plastic explosives.
Bout, known as the “Merchant of Death,” was captured in a sting operation carried out by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration informants in Bangkok, Thailand.
Experts cited by Fox News have warned against trading Bout in the exchange.
Former Defense Intelligence Agency officer Rebekah Koffler explained, “Moscow wants him back because he possesses critical insights that he can share with the GRU, his former agency.”
“Having been in a U.S. prison and interrogated by U.S. officials, he knows what our intelligence requirements are and other information that is valuable for the Russians,” Koffler said.
“It would be a big mistake for the U.S. to give up Viktor Bout, as much as one feels compassion for Ms. Griner and Mr. Whelan,” he added.
Biden celebrated the decision to trade Bout for Griner’s release.
“Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner,” he said. “She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home.”
