'Dangerous message': Top Republican raises concerns over trading Americans for 'actual Russian criminals'

A top Republican warned on Thursday that the Biden administration's choice to trade Russian criminals for detained Americans – including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Marine veteran Paul Whelan – could be sending a "dangerous message" to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, joined others in celebrating the releases, saying he was "thrilled" to hear the detained Americans were coming home.

"But I remain concerned that continuing to trade innocent Americans for actual Russian criminals held in the U.S. and elsewhere sends a dangerous message to Putin that only encourages further hostage taking by his regime," he added.

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He further stressed, "We should also not forget those Americans who may still be held in Russia, like Marc Fogel and Ksenia Karelina, as well as those held in other countries, including Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and David Lin, who are held in China, and Ryan Corbett, who is held in Afghanistan. We must get all of them home to their families too."

President Biden addressed the release of prisoners on Thursday in remarks at the White House. "Moments ago, the families and I were able to speak to them on the telephone from the Oval Office. They're out of Russia. Earlier today, they were flown to Turkey, and soon they'll be wheels up on their way home to see their families," he said.

"This is an incredible relief for all the family members gathered here. It's a relief to the friends and colleagues all across the country who've been praying for this day for a long time."

Another American, Alsu Kurmasheva, and U.S. green card holder Vladimir Kara-Murza were also