Could it have been better? Yes. Who controlled that? Putin. He had no reason to want to trade both US citizens and could just have easily canceled the whole deal.
Did Trump do anything to get Whelan freed? Doesn't look like it. I'll go with what Whelan's brother said. You think it was a shit deal. Your opinion, not mine.
Paul Whelan's Brother: Biden Administration made 'right decision' in Griner-prisoner swap
Brittney Griner was part of a prisoner swap announced Thursday. She was sentenced this year to a labor camp for a conviction on drug charges.
www.fox2detroit.com
“It’s through hardship that character is revealed, and over the last nine months, we have seen the best of so many,” Colas said in the statement. “At the top of that list are BG and President Biden. Throughout this ordeal, BG has carried herself with courage, grace and grit; and President Biden made us a promise, and then kept his word and did what was necessary to bring her home.”
“In return, our commitment to President Biden and to the families of Americans who are being held hostage and wrongfully detained – especially Elizabeth and David Whelan, on behalf of their brother Paul Whelan, who remains in Russia and whose continued detention weighs heavily on our hearts – is to continue our work in the movement to bring them home,” Colas said.
Brittney Griner’s Agent Said The Campaign To Bring Her Home Will Now Work On The Cases Of Other Americans Who Are Incarcerated Abroad (msn.com)