Michigan leaders react to release of Paul Whelan

Michigan members of Congress rejoiced at word Thursday that Paul Whelan, a Novi man and former Marine who was arrested and jailed in Russia since December 2018, had been released in a large-scale prisoner swap.

"Paul, after more than five years, we finally get to say, welcome home," U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, posted on social media platform X on Thursday morning. "You lost your job, your home and your dog but you never lost your faith and we never lost our faith in you."

Stevens, who had led several efforts in Congress to push Russia for the release of Whelan — who had been head of global security for BorgWarner and accused of espionage charges he denied — credited the Biden administration and Whelan's family for keeping up efforts to see him released.

"Justice has prevailed, and today, an innocent man is free," she continued.

More: Paul Whelan released from Russia in prisoner swap that includes reporter Evan Gershkovich

More: Paul Whelan's brother gives family statement following release from Russia

The prisoner swap, which involved some two dozen prisoners across six countries, was described by the New York Times as "the most far-reaching exchange between Russia and the West in decades." Among those freed by Russia was Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

“Today, a Michigan family can breathe a long sigh of relief after a yearslong nightmare,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Paul Whelan, a proud United States Marine and Michigander is finally coming back home."

“The whole state of Michigan is thankful and relieved that Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, and other Americans are coming home,” said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II. “Thanks to tireless diplomacy by the Biden-Harris administration, they have been freed from cruel and unwarranted detention in Russia. Today is a testament to our power to get things done and leave no American behind. My thoughts are with Paul and Evan’s families and friends who have waited so long to welcome them back.”

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued a statement, saying, "Today is a joyous and long overdue day for Paul, his family and all who have been working tirelessly to get him back home to Michigan. ... I’m beyond relieved that today marks the end of this unimaginable nightmare for Paul and his loved ones. Michigan welcomes him home with open arms.”

Whelan's parents, Edward and Rosemary Whelan, live in Manchester, southwest of Ann Arbor.

"I’m incredibly thankful and relieved to learn that after years of wrongful imprisonment, both Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich are in American custody and on their way home," said U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, whose district includes Manchester. "Their detainment has been an affront to due process, international law and human rights."

Dingell said she has become friends with Whelan's parents and siblings. "I have seen how difficult this has been and know how tireless they have been in their efforts to bring him home," she said. "Now we must give those who have been released and their families the time and space they need to recover and heal from their experiences."

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, added that he was "overjoyed" to hear of the release of Whelan and Gershkovich, noting his district used to include Manchester before the boundary lines changed in 2021. "Paul’s parents, Ed and Rosemary, were constituents of mine and have spent nearly six agonizing years wondering if they’d ever get to see their son again," Walberg said. "Paul’s siblings, Elizabeth and David, have done everything in their power to bring him home and never lost hope, even during the dimmest days. Paul and Evan are innocent Americans who have been wrongly detained simply to increase the Kremlin’s geopolitical bargaining power."

Walberg warned, however, that the U.S. "must be careful not to establish a new norm by accepting when our adversaries conflate innocent civilians with real criminals. This puts every American at risk."

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, who is a former intelligence officer and former acting assistant Pentagon secretary, issued a statement, calling Whelan's release "tremendous news" and credited the "determined diplomacy" by President Joe Biden's negotiators and the advocacy of his family and those in Congress, mentioning Stevens by name.

“Today’s happy news is also a reminder that we face a dangerous and unprincipled adversary in (Russian President) Vladimir Putin," Slotkin added. "He uses innocent Americans as pawns. Those who want to cozy up to him, or simply turn a blind eye to his demands in Ukraine, would do well to remember the suffering of Paul, the Whelan family, and the millions of Ukrainians living with the consequences of Putin’s actions.”

Other statements of gratitude and relief poured in as well:

From U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township: “Russia wrongfully detained Paul and Evan as political prisoners after sham trials with no evidence of wrongdoing. Both Paul and Evan, as well as their families, suffered greatly through this terrible ordeal. But even on the darkest days, they never gave up hope — and neither did the American people."

From U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan: "Wonderful news today! After more than five years, Paul Whelan is coming home. I know the past years have been excruciating for Paul and his family. I’m so glad they will be seeing Paul soon. Thank you to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for your incredible work to bring these Americans home.”

Contact Todd Spangler: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @tsspangler.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Paul Whelan released from Russia prison: Michigan leaders react