Kynan Marlin/Cronkite News

Brittney Griner in 2019.

After Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner’s guilty plea to drug possession charges in Russia on Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about the legal maneuver.

“We’ve been clear from Day 1," Jean-Pierre said. "When it comes to U.S. nationals who are being held abroad, who are being held wrongfully, who are being held hostage, we are going to do everything that we can, use every means that we have to bring them home.”

Jean-Pierre said the White House can’t negotiate publicly, despite its commitment to see Griner released.