By Paulo Carvão, Harvard Kennedy School

Imagine a not-too-distant future where you let an intelligent robot manage your finances. It knows everything about you. It follows your moves, analyzes markets, adapts to your goals and invests faster and smarter than you can. Your investments soar. But then one day, you wake up to a nightmare: Your savings have been transferred to a rogue state, and they’re gone.

You seek remedies and justice but find none. Who’s to blame? The robot’s developer? The artificial intelligence company behind the robot’s “brain”? The bank that approved the transactions? Lawsuits fly, fingers point, and your lawyer searches for precedents, but finds none. Meanwhile, you’ve lost everything.

This is not the doomsday scenario of human extinction that some people in the AI field have warned could arise from the technology. It is a more realistic one and, in some cases, already present. AI systems are already making life-altering decisions for many people, in areas ranging from education to hiring and law enforcement. Health insurance companies have used AI tools to determine whether to cover patients’ medical procedures. People have been arrested based on faulty matches by facial recognition algorithms.

By bringing government and industry together to develop policy solutions, it is possible to reduce these risks and future ones. I am a former IBM executive with decades of experience in digital transformation and AI. I now focus on tech policy as a senior fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government. I also advise tech startups and invest in venture capital.

Drawing from this experience, my team spent a year researching a way forward for AI governance. We conducted interviews with 49 tech industry leaders and members of Congress, and analyzed 150 AI-related bills introduced in the last session of Congress. We used this data to develop a model for AI governance that fosters innovation while also offering protections against harms, like a rogue AI draining your life savings.

Striking a balance

The increasing use of AI in all aspects of people’s lives raises a new set of questions to which history has few answers. At the same time, the urgency to address how it should be governed is growing. Policymakers appear to be paralyzed, debating whether to let innovation flourish without controls or risk slowing progress. However, I believe that the binary choice between regulation and innovation is a false one.

Instead, it’s possible to chart a different approach that can help guide innovation in a direction that adheres to existing laws and societal norms without stifling creativity, competition and entrepreneurship.

The U.S. has consistently demonstrated its ability to drive economic growth. The American tech innovation system is rooted in entrepreneurial spirit, public and private investment, an open market and legal protections for intellectual property and trade secrets. From the early days of the Industrial Revolution to the rise of the internet and modern digital technologies, the U.S. has maintained its leadership by balancing economic incentives with strategic policy interventions.

In January 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order calling for the development of an AI action plan for America. My team and I have developed an AI governance model that can underpin an action plan.

A new governance model

Previous presidential administrations have waded into AI governance, including the Biden administration’s since-recinded executive order. There has also been an increasing number of regulations concerning AI passed at the state level. But the U.S. has mostly avoided imposing regulations on AI. This hands-off approach stems in part from a disconnect between Congress and industry, with each doubting the other’s understanding of the technologies requiring governance.

The industry is divided into distinct camps, with smaller companies allowing tech giants to lead governance discussions. Other contributing factors include ideological resistance to regulation, geopolitical concerns and insufficient coalition-building that have marked past technology policymaking efforts. Yet, our study showed that both parties in Congress favor a uniquely American approach to governance.

Congress agrees on extending American leadership, addressing AI’s infrastructure needs and focusing on specific uses of the technology – instead of trying to regulate the technology itself. How to do it? My team’s findings led us to develop the Dynamic Governance Model, a policy-agnostic and nonregulatory method that can be applied to different industries and uses of the technology. It starts with a legislative or executive body setting a policy goal and consists of three subsequent steps:

1. Establish a public-private partnership in which public and private sector experts work together to identify standards for evaluating the policy goal. This approach combines industry leaders’ technical expertise and innovation focus with policymakers’ agenda of protecting the public interest through oversight and accountability. By integrating these complementary roles, governance can evolve together with technological developments.
2. Create an ecosystem for audit and compliance mechanisms. This market-based approach builds on the standards from the previous step and executes technical audits and compliance reviews. Setting voluntary standards and measuring against them is good, but it can fall short without real oversight. Private sector auditing firms can provide oversight so long as those auditors meet fixed ethical and professional standards.
3. Set up accountability and liability for AI systems. This step outlines the responsibilities that a company must bear if its products harm people or fail to meet standards. Effective enforcement requires coordinated efforts across institutions. Congress can establish legislative foundations, including liability criteria and sector-specific regulations. It can also create mechanisms for ongoing oversight or rely on existing government agencies for enforcement. Courts will interpret statutes and resolve conflicts, setting precedents. Judicial rulings will clarify ambiguous areas and contribute to a sturdier framework.

Benefits of balance

I believe that this approach offers a balanced path forward, fostering public trust while allowing innovation to thrive. In contrast to conventional regulatory methods that impose blanket restrictions on industry, like the one adopted by the European Union, our model:

• is incremental, integrating learning at each step.
• draws on the existing approaches used in the U.S. for driving public policy, such as competition law, existing regulations and civil litigation.
• can contribute to the development of new laws without imposing excessive burdens on companies.
• draws on past voluntary commitments and industry standards, and encourages trust between the public and private sectors.

The U.S. has long led the world in technological growth and innovation. Pursuing a public-private partnership approach to AI governance should enable policymakers and industry leaders to advance their goals while balancing innovation with transparency and responsibility. We believe that our governance model is aligned with the Trump administration’s goal of removing barriers for industry but also supports the public’s desire for guardrails.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Paulo Carvão, Harvard Kennedy School

Read more:

• Tech law in 2025: a look ahead at AI, privacy and social media regulation under the new Trump administration
• Reining in AI means figuring out which regulation options are feasible, both technically and economically
• How can Congress regulate AI? Erect guardrails, ensure accountability and address monopolistic power

Carvão advises tech startups and invests in venture capital.

Feature Image: One of President Donald Trump’s first executive orders in his second term called for developing an AI action plan. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

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President Donald Trump’s administration on Jan. 29 rescinded a Project 2025-inspired order that had abruptly frozen most federal grants and loans, a sweeping directive that threw social service programs like Head Start, student loans and Medicaid into disarray.

The initial order, issued earlier in the week, sparked widespread confusion and disruption, prompting a swift legal challenge.

On Jan. 28, a federal judge temporarily blocked the freeze, and by the next day, the White House pulled back the directive altogether. The order’s reversal came after mounting pressure from lawmakers, advocacy groups and affected organizations.

The White House insisted the move was intended to “end any confusion” following the court’s injunction, but critics called it a political miscalculation.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the administration backed down only because of public outcry.

“Americans fought back, and Donald Trump backed off,” Schumer said in a statement. “Though the Trump administration failed in this tactic, it’s no secret that they will try to find another, and when they do, it will again be Senate Democrats there to call it out, fight back, and defend American families.”

However, the administration made clear that its broader policies on federal funding remain intact. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X that this was “NOT a rescission of the federal funding freeze,” but rather a rollback of the memo itself to “end any confusion” created by the court’s ruling. “The President’s executive orders on federal funding remain in full force and effect and will be rigorously implemented,” she added.

The initial freeze caused immediate uncertainty, particularly in Washington, D.C., and Republican-leaning states heavily reliant on federal funds.

Throughout Jan. 28, the White House attempted to clarify exemptions — such as Medicaid — but the damage had already been done.

Reports surfaced by people and organizations unable to access critical federal resources, heightening concerns about the real-world impact of the freeze.

The legal challenge that led to the order’s reversal was filed by Democracy Forward, a progressive nonprofit, which argued that the directive was an unconstitutional overreach that endangered millions of Americans.

“While we hope this will enable millions of people in communities across the country to breathe a sigh of relief, we condemn the Trump-Vance administration’s harmful and callous approach of unleashing chaos and harm on the American people,” said Skye Perryman, the organization’s CEO.

“Our team will continue to bring swift legal actions to protect the American people and will use the legal process to ensure that federal funding is restored.”

The uncertainty caused by the administration’s actions drew sharp criticism from organizations that rely on federal assistance.

Melicia Whitt-Glover, executive director of the Council on Black Health, warned that the confusion threatens health programs serving historically marginalized communities. “While the Council on Black Health is not fully reliant on federal funding, many of our partners are, and they now face disruptions that threaten their ability to continue their vital work. This impacts the communities we serve and exacerbates health inequities,” she said.

The administration’s actions have drawn scrutiny given the financial reliance of Republican-leaning states on federal aid. A MoneyGeek analysis found that seven of the 10 states most dependent on federal funding lean Republican, receiving an average of $1.24 for every dollar contributed, while blue states receive $1.14. 

New Mexico, a Democratic-leaning state, saw the highest return on federal spending at $3.42 per dollar contributed, while Delaware had the lowest at $0.46.

Public Citizen, a government watchdog group, called the original freeze an unnecessary crisis that harmed vulnerable Americans. Lisa Gilbert, co-president of the organization, said,  “The incompetence and cruelty of this order caused nationwide confusion and anxiety, as across the country regular Americans spoke out about the human impacts — the loss of jobs, essential services and harms to children among many other vulnerable populations.

“The White House overplayed their hand as they levied this Project 2025-inspired order and made it clear that they want to sow chaos and gut programs that help families. We will keep up the fight to make sure that does not happen.”

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The White House’s decision to pause federal grants and loans has sent shockwaves across Washington, D.C., and beyond, exposing vulnerabilities in Republican-leaning states that heavily depend on federal funding. In a memo issued Monday, acting Office of Management and Budget director Matthew J. Vaeth instructed federal agencies to halt all activities related to federal financial assistance, leaving questions about the legality and long-term impact of the directive.   Federal funding plays a significant role in Washington, D.C., where $6.3 billion was allocated in fiscal year 2021 to support Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), public schools, and infrastructure. These funds accounted for 32.2% of the district’s revenue. The freeze now threatens programs critical to D.C. residents, especially the city’s most vulnerable populations.

However, the impact of this freeze could hit Republican states hardest. According to data from MoneyGeek, seven of the 10 states most dependent on federal funding are Republican-leaning, with these states receiving an average of $1.24 for every dollar contributed. In contrast, Democratic-leaning blue states received $1.14 per dollar paid in federal taxes. New Mexico, a state that leans blue, saw the highest return on federal spending at $3.42 per dollar contributed, while Delaware, another blue state, had the lowest return at $0.46. Despite these outliers, higher-income, blue states generally contribute more to federal coffers than they receive, due to higher tax revenues and lower reliance on federal assistance.

Experts say the freeze will likely hit red states the hardest, as they are more dependent on federal funding. “Higher-income states produce the majority of the tax dollars that go into the federal government’s pocket,” Kathy Fallon, a human services practice area director at Public Consulting Group, told MoneyGeek in October.    “Because of the higher income, states and their residents need less support and use fewer federal dollars.” Tax code changes in recent years have further increased the financial burden on wealthier blue states. “Before, people who paid large state income taxes would deduct those from their federal tax payments,” Fallon explained. “Now, state tax deductions are capped. Ironically, it means the wealthier states’ populations are paying even more.”

This dynamic should raise eyebrows and help showcase the irony of the Trump administration’s actions, as many of the most federally dependent states supported him and are likely to feel the sting of these new policies. While 31 states contributed more to the federal government than they received in 2024, 52% of these states were Republican-leaning, revealing a shift from previous years. 

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) sharply criticized the order, saying, “Congress approved these investments, and they are not optional; they are the law. Donald Trump must direct his administration to reverse course immediately and ensure that taxpayer money goes where it’s needed.”

Experts warn that the legal authority for this freeze is tenuous. While the president can temporarily defer spending, significant pauses require formal notification to Congress and detailed justification. 

G. William Hoagland of the Bipartisan Policy Center expressed concerns about the broader implications. “This could be an effort to avoid implementing the law of the land as it relates to the budget process,” Hoagland said. “And the impact could be enormous.”

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Federal judges are expressing concern over the future of justice for January 6 defendants as Donald Trump prepares to retake office and considers pardoning the participants in the Capitol attack. This week’s arrests and sentences of more alleged offenders show effort by the Department of Justice hasn’t stopped as they continue to attempt to hold those involved accountable for the violence that disrupted American democracy.

On December 18, a Texas man and a Virginia man were arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Authorities said their actions contributed to the chaos that interrupted the certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory. Earlier in the month, a South Carolina man was sentenced to prison for four misdemeanors related to the attack. On the same day, a judge sentenced a Georgia man to prison after his conviction for assaulting police officers during the riot.

The ongoing arrests and sentences come nearly three years after a mob stormed the Capitol, injuring over 140 police officers—including more than 80 from the U.S. Capitol Police and over 60 from Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department. The siege caused extensive damage, with losses estimated at over $2.8 million. In total, at least 1,561 people have faced federal charges.

However, Trump has remained adamant that those convicted are “hostages,” and “patriots.”

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who has presided over numerous Jan. 6-related cases, acknowledged her waning confidence in reassuring law enforcement that the rule of law still applies. “I’m not sure I can do that very convincingly these days,” Chutkan remarked during a recent sentencing hearing.

Chutkan isn’t alone. Fellow jurists appointed by Repubilcans and Democrats have fretted over the possibility of Trump granting clemency to those convicted.

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, appointed by President Barack Obama, recently condemned efforts to downplay the Capitol attack. “The rewriting of the history of Jan. 6, 2021, is incredibly disturbing,” Howell said during a sentencing hearing.

Judge Reggie Walton, a George W. Bush appointee, cautioned that continued false claims about election outcomes could tear the nation apart. “We’re headed for a breakup of this country,” Walton warned, adding, “America isn’t a third-world country.” Walton also noted that Democrats accepted their defeat in 2024 without spreading misinformation. “Mr. Trump won,” he stated. “He won legitimately just like he lost legitimately.”

According to Politico, several judges have openly criticized Trump’s rhetoric and impact on defendants’ attitudes toward the court. The outlet reported that Walton clashed with defendant Michael Bradley, who was convicted of attacking police officers with a baton. Bradley defied Walton’s authority, questioning his integrity and claiming he was “being convicted without a victim.”

Some Jan. 6 defendants have recently requested permission to attend Trump’s second inauguration, Politico noted. The Justice Department has opposed these requests, arguing that allowing defendants to return to the “scene of the crime” would dishonor the officers who defended the Capitol that day. Yet on Thursday, Chutkan permitted one defendant, Eric Peterson, to attend, issuing a terse, one-sentence order without explanation.

Judge Royce Lamberth, a Ronald Reagan appointee, captured the frustration of the judiciary in a 13-page opinion accompanying a Jan. 6 sentencing. “The true story of what happened on January 6, 2021, will never change,” he wrote, rejecting attempts by some defendants to portray themselves as victims of government persecution.

“They trashed it,” Chutkan said of the rioters’ actions in the Capitol. “They treated it like a motel room after a concert. Engaging in an act of destruction and violence in order to halt the peaceful transfer of power has to be met by consequences.”

Feature Image: Photo provided by NNPA

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While officials and residents of the District of Columbia gear up for a MAGA Republican takeover of the federal government, a large group of Democratic governors met in California to solidify a defense against certain attacks from Donald Trump’s incoming administration, a GOP majority in the House and Senate, and a hostile U.S. Supreme Court.

Democrats elected Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly to serve a full term as Chair of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) for 2025. The decision came during the DGA’s annual meeting in Los Angeles, where Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was also elected as Vice Chair for 2025 and Chair-Elect for 2026.

Kelly began 2024 as DGA Vice Chair and assumed the Chair role in August after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz joined the Democratic national ticket. Under her leadership, the DGA successfully held onto every Democratic governorship in the 2024 election cycle. This included critical victories in battleground states such as North Carolina, where Josh Stein won, and Washington, where Bob Ferguson secured his governorship.

“I’m proud of the DGA’s success in 2024 and look forward to building on our momentum to win both competitive races in Virginia and New Jersey next year,” Kelly said. “As Democratic governors, we’re delivering real results for the people of our states and making lives better for millions of Americans by focusing on the issues that matter most. We’re keeping our foot on the gas and ready to get to work in 2025.”

During her time as governor, Kelly has focused on bipartisan progress. She attracted over $20 billion in new business investments and created over 70,000 full-time jobs, including the largest economic development project in Kansas history — a $4 billion initiative promising up to 4,000 new jobs. Kelly balanced the state budget, fully funded public schools, improved infrastructure, and brought Kansas back from years of fiscal mismanagement.

Beshear’s election as Vice Chair and Chair-Elect follows his historic re-election in 2023, which he won in deep-red Kentucky by a significant margin. His focus on economic growth has led to over 1,000 private-sector projects and more than 57,500 new jobs, including the state’s largest economic project—a Ford battery plant in Glendale. Beshear’s administration also legalized sports betting and prioritized infrastructure development.

“In Kentucky, we’ve shown that when you focus on the challenges families face every day, Democrats can win anywhere,” Beshear said. “I’m excited to build on that record to help elect and re-elect Democratic governors across the country.”

The DGA’s annual meeting took on added significance with a gathering of prominent Democratic leaders, some of whom are considered potential 2028 presidential candidates. Governors Gavin Newsom of California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, JB Pritzker of Illinois, Roy Cooper of North Carolina, and Tim Walz of Minnesota attended the Beverly Hilton alongside a packed crowd of donors, strategists, and lobbyists.

Despite the speculation, Kelly remained focused on near-term goals. “Trust me, we’re not thinking beyond ’26 at this point,” she said.

The meeting also highlighted Democratic governors’ plans to navigate the challenges of a second Trump administration. Some governors are preparing to push back against potential policies that threaten civil rights and democracy. “You come for my people; you come through me,” Pritzker asserted. In states like New York and California, governors are laying the groundwork to defend against federal overreach. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James announced plans to counter any regulatory threats from Washington, and Newsom called a special legislative session to prepare for potential clashes with the Trump administration.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee pointed to past experience resisting Trump policies. “We’ve already taken considerable efforts to prevent him from abusing our state financially and targeting us,” Inslee said. “You can’t say we’re ‘Trump-proofed,’ but we’ve made significant progress.”

As Democratic governors prepare for the 2025 and 2026 election cycles, their strategy blends defense against federal policies with a focus on delivering results at the state level.

“We will continue to do what we do, which is work with whoever we need to work with to get what we need for our states,” Kelly said.

Feature Image: Photo provided by NNPA

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    For months, Florida Congressman Byron Donalds has been seen on cable news defending Donald Trump. There have even been times when Rep. Donalds has been called out for misrepresenting or glossing over many of Trump’s assertions that “crime is on the rise in the United States and increasing because of illegal immigration.

     “You’re lying. You’re lying, Congressman,” exclaimed CNN political analyst Keith Boykin during an episode of Abby Phillip’s show News Night on Oct. 1 on the question of crime.

      “It’s true, I’m not lying,” Donald shot back. The moment was just one of many times the top Trump surrogate defended the President. Surprisingly, Donalds has yet to be chosen for a cabinet-level position in Trump’s Administration.

     Another dedicated Black surrogate, U.S. Senator Tim Scott, has yet to be selected by Trump to join the Administration.

     Both Donalds and Scott may be looking at other positions. Rep. Donalds is said to be weighing the possibility of running for governor of Florida as current governor Ron DeSantis’ term is limited. Senator Scott would have to resign from the U.S. Senate to serve in Trump’s Administration. If his history is a guide, Scott would likely be aware that the level of turnover during Trump’s first four-year term from 2017 to 2021 was filled with cabinet departures and short stints marked by controversy and, at times, chaos.

     “Guess y’all were on the campaign trail betraying your people for NOTHING…Not even an opportunity Byron Donalds and Tim Scott. Y’all are the WEAKEST LINKS in the Black community,” wrote Nikki Barnes on the situation.

     But it’s not just that Donalds and Scott have been so far passed over. Trump has only chosen three Black or Hispanic nominees for his cabinet or senior staff: Former Texas state lawmaker and motivational speaker Scott Turner, who is Black, for Housing and Urban Development; Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), who is Hispanic, for Labor and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who is likely to be confirmed as the first-ever Hispanic secretary of State.

     Several of the selections have been highly controversial. The resumes of Trump’s selection for Department of Defense and Attorney General, Fox News Host Pete Hegseth and Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, have been questioned. Both men have reportedly been investigated for sexual assault-related allegations.

     The lack of qualifications has won the attention of many because many MAGA Republicans have railed against what they believe is a problem regarding diversity in hiring. But the recent hires of Fox News host Hegseth, who has no management experience, and Gaetz, who has no experience as a Judge or a prosecutor cited as another reason why the Trump Administration is expected to be damaging to federal employees, democracy and the rule of law.

      “When your Attorney General pick couldn’t even pass an FBI background check to be a field agent, you know you’ve completely sacrificed merit. I don’t ever want to hear another word about “unqualified” Black people not getting a damned thing. Not ever,” wrote Tim Wise, an expert on racism in America, on Trump’s recent appointees.

     Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the publisher of Black Virginia News. 

Feature Image: (Pictured from Left to right:) Rep. Byron Donalds official photo, 117th Congress / Photo: United States Congress. Official portrait of U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) / Photo: U.S. Senate Photographic Studio-Renee Bouchard. Former Executive Director of the White House Opportunity & Revitalization Council Scott Turner delivers remarks at the 2019 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Conference Tuesday, Sep. 10, 2019/ Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), US Senator Marco Rubio of Florida/ Photo: US Senate.

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By Alexa Helwig

On May 13, Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01) visited The Beechwood affordable housing units in Avondale and received updates from the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority CMHA is set to receive one million dollars in federal funding secured by Landsman through Community Project Funding.

The Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority will be awarded $1,050,000 to begin extensive upgrades in all 140 units at The Beechwood, significantly impacting the building and quality of life for current and future families.

In March, Congress passed the 2024 appropriations bills to fund the federal government.

Included in the government funding bills is more than $15 million in Community Project Funding that Congressman Landsman secured for 15 local, community-led projects across Southwest Ohio.

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By Grace Boteng | Houston Forward Times

It has been 4 months and counting since WNBA star, Olympic gold medalist, and Houston native Brittney Griner was detained and taken into custody in Moscow, Russia. On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, the Biden administration expressed a reclassification of Griner’s detainment in Russia as “wrongful.”

A State Department official sent a statement to ESPN late Monday night, saying, “The Department of State has determined that the Russian Federation has wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Brittney Griner. With this determination, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens will lead the interagency team for securing Brittney Griner’s release.”

The State Department previously had not said much about Griner’s arrest which took place days before Russia invaded Ukraine. There has been speculation that the State Department didn’t get involved sooner to avoid Griner becoming a political prisoner under the rule of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

https://servedbyadbutler.com/adserve/;ID=168170;size=728×90;setID=329915;type=iframe;click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER It is not uncommon for WNBA players to play overseas as the pay is better than it is in the United States. Griner, who plays professionally overseas during the WNBA offseason with the Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg, was arrested in an airport after personnel searched her luggage and discovered hashish oil.

The “wrongfully detained” reclassification means that the United States government will make efforts to negotiate her release instead of waiting around to see her case play out through the Russian courts.

Griner was granted consular access in March and at that time was checked on by a U.S. official. Her mental state was reported by Ekaterina Kalugina of the Public Monitoring Commission as “calm” and the conditions with which she was being detained were described as “standard.”

Lindsay Kagawa Colas, Griner’s agent, made a statement to ESPN saying, “Brittney has been detained for 75 days and our expectation is that the White House will do whatever is necessary to bring her home.”

Griners’s absence was palpable as the WNBA began their season on May 6th. The WNBA is throwing their support behind the Phoenix Mercury center Griner in their own way.

Via WNBA Official Release
The WNBA announced plans to acknowledge the importance of Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner to the league.  During the 2022 season, which tips off on Friday, May 6, Griner’s initials and jersey number (42) will be featured along the sideline of all 12 WNBA courts.

“As we begin the 2022 season, we are keeping Brittney at the forefront of what we do through the game of basketball and in the community,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.  “We continue to work on bringing Brittney home and are appreciative of the support the community has shown BG and her family during this extraordinarily challenging time.”

The below image demonstrates the design of Griner’s initials and jersey number that will be placed on each WNBA court.

The league also announced today that the Phoenix Mercury have been granted both roster and salary cap relief so that it can carry a replacement player until Griner, who will be paid her full salary, returns home and is ready to get back on the court.
As previously announced by the Mercury, philanthropic initiatives recognizing Griner and modeled after her contributions to the Phoenix community will take place across the WNBA during tip-off weekend into the 2022 season.  Every WNBA market will support BG’s Heart and Sole Shoe Drive, which is in partnership with the Phoenix Rescue Mission.  Griner founded the initiative in 2016 to support the homeless population.

“In conjunction with the league, the other 11 teams, and those closest to BG, we will work to keep her top-of-mind as we tip the 2022 season,” said Jim Pitman, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Phoenix Mercury.   “While we await her return, our main concern remains for her safety and well-being.  Our fans will miss her impact on the court and in our community, and this gesture of including her initials on every court and our BG’s Heart and Sole Shoe Drive activation in every market are for them and for her.”

Here’s hoping the State Department’s involvement expedites Griner’s safe return home.

The post United States Government Steps in Reclassifying Brittney Griner’s Detainment in Russia as Wrongful appeared first on Houston Forward Times.

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