White House Presses for Release of Wall Street Journal Reporter

The White House confirmed today, Monday, that the U.S. administration is vigorously pressing for the release of the "Wall Street Journal" reporter detained in Russia and is closely monitoring his arrest. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated, "We have been pushing hard since the moment we learned of the journalist's detention." He added, "We will do everything we can to bring Ivan home, as well as Paul Whelan," referring to a former U.S. Marine who is serving a 16-year sentence in Russia on espionage charges.