Freed American Paul Whelan opens up about life inside a Russian labor camp
Paul Whelan, who was arrested in Russia in 2018, got little sleep and used secret cellphones to communicate with prisoners sent to the frontlines in Ukraine.
Paul Whelan
Freed American Paul Whelan's first interview
Paul Whelan, a Marine veteran who was imprisoned in a Russian labor camp for nearly six years until being released after a prisoner swap this summer, tells "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" in his first interview since being freed about the first moments he realized he was free.
Full interview: Paul Whelan
Watch Margaret Brennan's full interview with Paul Whelan, a portion of which aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Oct. 20, 2024.
Open: "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Oct. 20, 2024
This week on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Margaret Brennan speaks to Paul Whelan in his first interview being freed from a Russian prison. Plus, battleground state Secretaries of State Brad Raffensperger of Georgia and Jocelyn Benson of Michigan join as early voting begins.
Face the Nation: Lawler, Whelan
Missed the second half of the show? The latest on...Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, who represents a district heavily targeted by Democrats, tells "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" that "all of the rhetoric needs to stop", and Paul Whelan, a Marine veteran who was imprisoned in a Russian labor camp for nearly six years until being released after a prisoner swap this summer, tells "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" in his first interview since being freed about the first moments he realized he was free.
10/20: Face the Nation
This week on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Margaret Brennan speaks to Paul Whelan in his first interview being freed from a Russian prison. Plus, battleground state Secretaries of State Brad Raffensperger of Georgia and Jocelyn Benson of Michigan join as early voting begins.
Paul Whelan on his lowest point in Russian custody
Paul Whelan, the Marine veteran who was wrongfully detained in Russia for nearly six years, spoke to CBS News in his first interview since his release in August as part of a complex prisoner swap. Whelan described the frustration he felt when he learned in 2022 that he would not be freed as part of the deal that saw the release of basketball star Brittney Griner.
Paul Whelan's attorney on bringing him home
Marine veteran Paul Whelan is speaking out for the first time since his release from Russian imprisonment. Whelan spoke with "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan about the toll of life in captivity. Ryan Fayhee, Whelan's lawyer, joins CBS News to discuss.
Paul Whelan on how Brittney Griner helped him
Paul Whelan reflects on how WNBA star Brittney Griner helped lend support and advocated for his freedom after he was left behind in a one-for-one prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia in December 2022. Griner returned home after spending nearly 10 months in Russian custody for drug charges.
Paul Whelan says years-long Russian imprisonment "did play with my mind"
In his first sit-down interview since his release from Russia, Paul Whelan said being left behind twice in prisoner swaps played with his mind.
Paul Whelan says he has a form of PTSD
Paul Whelan, in his first sit-down interview since being freed in a historic prisoner swap with Russia, tells "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan that spending nearly six years being wrongfully detained played with his mind and he's now living with a form of PTSD.
Paul Whelan tells other American detainees, "We're coming for you"
The Marine veteran was released in August as part of a complex deal with Russia.
Paul Whelan's lawyer discusses his release
It's been just under two weeks since Paul Whelan and other Americans returned to the United States from Russia after a historic multi-nation prisoner swap. Whelan's attorney, Ryan Fayhee, joins "America Decides" to discuss the Marine veteran's release.
Freed Americans may still face IRS penalties
The Americans freed in a historic prisoner swap with Russia will likely face challenges as they return to ordinary life, including automatic IRS penalties. Diane Foley, president and founder of hostage advocacy group the Foley Foundation, joins CBS News to discuss the bill sitting in Congress to address the tax issue.
Former U.S. ambassador to Russia on relations
As the former U.S. ambassador to Russia, John Sullivan has rare insight when it comes to the inner workings of the Kremlin. He was also in Moscow the night Putin's army invaded Ukraine in 2022. Sullivan joins CBS News to discuss his new memoir, "Midnight in Moscow," and the future of U.S.-Russia diplomacy.
What the historic prisoner swap might mean for the future
Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan says Vladimir Putin, and other authoritarians, may be emboldened to wrongfully detain Americans abroad if they can benefit from prisoner swaps in the future.
Several Americans still detained in Russia
Americans Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva are recuperating in the U.S. following a historic prisoner exchange with Russia. However, several U.S. citizens are still imprisoned in Russia. CBS News intelligence and national security reporter Olivia Gazis explains why some Americans might not have been included in the deal.
Prisoner swap mental health under spotlight
The Americans involved in the historic prisoner swap carried out by various countries will have to grapple with the weight of their experience while detained. Jason Rezaian, a journalist who was wrongfully imprisoned in Iran, joins CBS News with more on the mental health and economic impacts that come with being a political prisoner abroad.
Global leaders behind the prisoner swap
Slovenia Prime Minister Robert Golob and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz were involved in chats with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris that led to the historic prisoner swap that freed three Americans and one legal permanent resident. CBS News' Willie James Inman reports on the political leaders involved in the deal.
Americans still wrongfully held around world
As the three Americans freed from Russia are welcomed home with open arms, we're also monitoring other Americans detained around the world. CBS News' Anne-Marie Green has more.
What to know about prisoner swap for Americans
Three Americans who had been held in Russian prisons, Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva, are back home following a historic, multi-country prisoner swap. CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more.
Jake Sullivan on Russia prisoner swap
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan explains how the United States worked with allies to free three Americans in the prisoner exchange with Russia. Sullivan added the work continues to free other Americans who remain in Russia, like Marc Fogel.
Americans arrive in U.S. after prisoner swap
Three Americans — Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva and Paul Whelan — landed Thursday in the U.S. after being detained in Russia. It was part of one of the largest prisoner swaps since the end of the Cold War.
Whelan describes journey home from Russia
Three Americans who were wrongfully imprisoned in Russia, Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva, are back on U.S. soil. They made a brief stop at Joint Base Andrews, before arriving in San Antonio to undergo medical assessments. CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes has more.
Released Americans welcomed home by Biden, Harris
A plane carrying three wrongfully detained Americans released by Russia landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland late Thursday night. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Marine veteran Paul Whelan and Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva were welcomed home by President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
House Ethics Committee will keep Matt Gaetz report under wraps — for now
The panel's ranking Democrat, Rep. Susan Wild, said there was "no consensus" on the issue and the committee agreed to reconvene on Dec. 5.
Justice Department calls for breakup of Google and sale of Chrome
The proposed breakup calls for Google to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser and impose restrictions designed to prevent its Android smartphone software from favoring its search engine.
How could the U.S. military be used for Trump's mass deportation plan?
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Bryan Kohberger can face death penalty if convicted, judge rules
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4 Trump Cabinet picks have sexual misconduct allegations in their past
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Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger ordered to pay nearly $100 million in civil trial
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Are food recalls and outbreaks on the rise?
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American dies in Laos amid reports that several tourists suffered alcohol poisoning
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Chris Stapleton wins 4 CMAs but Morgan Wallen named entertainer of the year
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Justice Department calls for breakup of Google and sale of Chrome
The proposed breakup calls for Google to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser and impose restrictions designed to prevent its Android smartphone software from favoring its search engine.
Are food recalls and outbreaks on the rise?
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How collecting pine cones helps renew Oregon forests after wildfires
Conservationists are teaming up with the U.S. Forest Service and logging companies to clear scorched land and make room for new reforestation projects.
U.S. indicts Indian billionaire Gautam Adani in $265 million bribery scheme
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MoneyWatch
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Justice Department calls for breakup of Google and sale of Chrome
The proposed breakup calls for Google to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser and impose restrictions designed to prevent its Android smartphone software from favoring its search engine.
Are food recalls and outbreaks on the rise?
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Sheetz is cutting gas prices by 40 cents a gallon before Thanksgiving
As millions of Americans get ready to hit the road ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, Sheetz is offering a deal on fuel.
Reddit is down for many users, reports say. Here's what to know.
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Has life in the U.S. become too political? You can buy a house in Italy for $1.
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Analysis: Election conspiracies persist, even with different outcomes
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How could the U.S. military be used for Trump's mass deportation plan?
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House Ethics Committee will keep Matt Gaetz report under wraps
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4 Trump administration picks have sexual misconduct allegations in their past
Four men chosen by President-elect Donald Trump for top positions have been accused of varying degrees of sexual misconduct.
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Are food recalls and outbreaks on the rise?
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McDonald's pulls espresso drinks from some U.S. menus
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Trump taps Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead key Medicare and Medicaid agency
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World
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American dies in Laos amid reports that several tourists suffered alcohol poisoning
The American died in the tourist town of Vang Vieng, Laos, the State Department confirmed.
U.S. indicts Indian billionaire Gautam Adani in $265 million bribery scheme
Gautam Adani, one of the world's richest people, is accused of concealing that a solar energy project was being facilitated by an alleged $265 million bribery scheme.
Giraffes need endangered species protection, U.S. officials say
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3 police officers, 4 cartel suspects killed near U.S. border
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China admits spy plane violated Japanese airspace, Tokyo says
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Chris Stapleton wins 4 CMAs but Morgan Wallen named entertainer of the year
Chris Stapleton took home four Country Music Association Awards and hardly left the stage on Wednesday night, while an absent Morgan Wallen won the night's biggest prize, entertainer of the year.
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Justice Department calls for breakup of Google and sale of Chrome
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Reddit is down for many users, reports say. Here's what to know.
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How AI powered robots are helping small farms
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Deepfakes of Elon Musk contribute to billions in fraud losses
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SpaceX successfully tests Starship
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How collecting pine cones helps renew Oregon forests after wildfires
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Carcass of massive endangered whale washes ashore in Alaska
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Energy Secretary Granholm on Trump presidency
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Man convicted of murder in slaying of Laken Riley
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Bryan Kohberger can face death penalty if convicted, judge rules
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"Rust" movie premieres in Poland
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Laken Riley's killer Jose Ibarra sentenced
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Trump, Musk attend SpaceX launch
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SpaceX launches Super Heavy-Starship, with Trump there to watch
President-elect Donald Trump was on hand with Elon Musk for the sixth test flight of SpaceX's huge Super Heavy-Starship rocket.
Far side of the moon once had erupting volcanoes, lunar soil shows
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Johnson implements transgender restroom ban
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Who is Linda McMahon?
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Restoring forests decimated by wildfires
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