I'll preface what I'm about to say by clarifying that this is my opinion, which is influenced by my life experiences and interactions I've had with people in the armed services:

The real irony here, is that if Paul Whelan is anything like any of the marines I've met, he'd tell the administration to take Griner instead of him. Because he's a real man. Because he's a soldier. Because if Whelan was spying (I think he was) he always knew there was the possibility he could end up being charged, imprisoned, tortured and executed for espionage. But ultimately, because Griner is a Civilian and he is a Marine. No self-respecting marine (bad discharge or not, court martial or not, retired or active, able or lame) would let a civilian suffer in their place. Whether Griner is Trans, lesbian, liberal, smokes pot, or wants the national anthem unplayed. Because a marine fights for our freedom, even our freedom to be ungrateful and ignorant idiots and assholes.

So, in a way, I think taking Griner could have been the right decision, if Whelan was allowed to make that call. But for Biden to flatout choose Griner over Whelan is shameful.

I didn't even hear Biden say, "we hope as a former soldier, Whelan will understand if not approve"... Because that would take balls and actually owning the hard decision.

Just my take.