This Is An Open Thread
Starting out with today’s news, the administration has confirmed that former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed who has been in Russian detention since 2019 was released in a prisoner swap with convicted drug smuggler [The Guardian] Konstantin Yaroshenko.
Reed was sentenced in July 2020 for 9 years for “endangering the “life and health” of Russian police officers in and altercation.” [CNN]
Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot, was sentenced in 2011 to 20 years in federal prison in Connecticut.
Statement from President Joe Biden on the Return of Trevor Reed
APRIL 27, 2022
STATEMENTS AND RELEASES
Today, we welcome home Trevor Reed and celebrate his return to the family that missed him dearly. Trevor, a former U.S. Marine, is free from Russian detention. I heard in the voices of Trevor’s parents how much they’ve worried about his health and missed his presence. And I was delighted to be able to share with them the good news about Trevor’s freedom.
I’m grateful for the tireless and dedicated work of Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation John Sullivan, and many others across our government to ensure that Trevor came home safely. The negotiations that allowed us to bring Trevor home required difficult decisions that I do not take lightly. His safe return is a testament to the priority my Administration places on bringing home Americans held hostage and wrongfully detained abroad. We won’t stop until Paul Whelan and others join Trevor in the loving arms of family and friends.
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The release ends a nearly three-year ordeal for Reed, who was sentenced to nine years in prison in July 2020 for endangering the “life and health” of Russian police officers in an altercation. Reed and his family have denied the charges against him.
“Our family has been living a nightmare. Today, our prayers have been answered and Trevor is safely on his way back to the United States,” Reed’s family said in a statement.
Reed’s release is part of a prisoner swap for Russian citizen Konstantin Yaroshenko, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on her official Telegram channel.
CNN
In yesterday’s news, ICYMI, VP Harris tested positive for COVID.
“Statement from Press Secretary to the Vice President Kirsten Allen“
STATEMENTS AND RELEASES; April 26, 2022
Today, Vice President Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on rapid and PCR tests. She has exhibited no symptoms, will isolate and continue to work from the Vice President’s residence. She has not been a close contact to the President or First Lady due to their respective recent travel schedules. She will follow CDC guidelines and the advice of her physicians. The Vice President will return to the White House when she tests negative.
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whitehouse.gov
Finishing up yesterday, @POTUS ended Tuesday with 8 tweets, starting out with a 4-tweet thread.
Second Chance Month Roundtable
Apr 26, 2022
Nomination Sent to the Senate
APRIL 26, 2022
STATEMENTS AND RELEASES
NOMINATION SENT TO THE SENATE:
Bridget A. Brink, of Michigan, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Ukraine.
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President Biden Announces Key Regional Appointments for HHS
APRIL 26, 2022
STATEMENTS AND RELEASES
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki and White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha
APRIL 26, 2022
PRESS BRIEFINGS
Turning our sights back to today, @POTUS official public schedule via factba.se:
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
9:30 AM Official Schedule
The President receives the President’s Daily Brief
Closed Press10:00 AM Pool Call Time
In-Town Pool Call Time
In-Town Pool11:00 AM Official Schedule
The President attends the funeral of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; The President delivers remarks
Open to Pre-Credentialed Media; In-Town Travel Pool Accompanies3:00 PM Press Briefing
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room4:00 PM Official Schedule
factba.se
The President and The First Lady host the Council of Chief State School Officers’ 2022 National and State Teachers of the Year; The President, The First Lady, the Secretary of Education, and 2022 National Teacher of the Year Kurt Russell deliver remarks
@POTUS has, so far, tweeted 3 times for Wednesday, adding this one to the two above re: Trevor Reed tweets.
President Biden Names Seventeenth Round of Judicial Nominees
APRIL 27, 2022
STATEMENTS AND RELEASES
Statement by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on the Bilateral Meeting between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy
APRIL 27, 2022
STATEMENTS AND RELEASES
President Biden Attends the Funeral of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
Scheduled for Apr 27, 2022; 11:00 AM (EST)
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki
Scheduled for Apr 27, 2022; 3:00 PM (EST)
2022 National and State Teachers of the Year Celebration
Scheduled for Apr 27, 2022; 4:00 PM (EST)
I would say…’and so ends today’s Biden Bits’, but as always there will be more of today’s tomorrow, because that is just how those cookies crumble.
And as always….
This Is An Open Thread
See you in the comments!