Biden condemns Russia's detention of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich as "totally illegal".

President Biden called the family of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been wrongfully detained in Russia, and assured them that the US government is doing everything possible to bring him home. The State Department has formally declared that Gershkovich is being wrongfully detained, allowing his case to be handled by the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. Gershkovich was arrested on spying allegations in March, which the Journal has denied. Biden played a critical role in the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner from a Russian penal colony in December.