'Brittney or no one' - WH defends prisoner swap for Griner

STORY: Fox News correspondent Steve Peter Doocy suggested that Russia got "such a better deal."

"They gave up a professional athlete. We gave up a prolific arms dealer, who was convicted of trying to kill Americans, who was called 'the Merchant of Death,'" Doocy complained.

"The professional athlete was also an American citizen," Jean-Pierre responded.

The deal to trade WNBA athlete Brittney Griner, who was sentenced to serve nine years in Russian prison on drug charges for Victor Bout, convicted of weapons trafficking, has spurred criticism from some who say the White House should have pressed harder to secure the release of Paul Whelan as well, another American currently in Russian custody.