WASHINGTON, DC: Jacqui Heinrich, a seasoned Fox News reporter who has been in a long-term relationship with Franklin Sahlhoff since 2015, recently peppered White House official John Kirby with her incisive questions concerning a new US-Iran prisoner swap deal.
On Monday, September 11, the Biden administration informed Congress that it has proceeded with the previously announced agreement, which involves issuing a waiver that will facilitate the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian funds from South Korea to Qatar.
Under the agreement, the administration will also release five Iranian prisoners in exchange for five Americans, who have been wrongfully detained in Iran.
The detained US citizens include Siamak Namazi, Emad Shargi, and Morad Tahbaz, as well as two others who asked that their identity not be made public, according to ABC News.
During a White House press briefing on Wednesday, September 13, Heinrich reflected on the deal, asking why the $6 billion needed to be released in addition to the five Iranian prisoners.
How did John Kirby defend the deal after Jacqui Heinrich’s biting questions?
The three-time Emmy Award-winning reporter started by asking, “John, you just said that Iran was not going to do this for nothing. But didn’t they also get five Iranians?”
“They will get five Iranians as well. Yeah, Jacqui,” Kirby then said to which Heinrich replied, “Then why did we need to add $6 billion on top of that too.”
Kirby, a retired Navy rear admiral and director of communications for the White House, then attempted to defend the swap, saying, “This is the deal that we were able to strike to secure the release of five Americans. It would be great, wonderful if we could just pick up the phone and call the mullahs and say, 'Hey, we want our Americans back. Send them back on the next plane.'”
"We're comfortable in the parameters of this deal. I get it - I've heard the critics that somehow they're getting the better end of it. Ask the families of those five Americans who are getting the better end of it and I think you'd get a different answer," he continued.
Heinrich then continued by asking about Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's claim that the money transferred to the country is "fungible”.
“No, ma’am. No, ma’am. It’s not fungible. He’s just wrong. He’s just flat-out wrong,” Kirby replied, adding that the funds in this agreement are "not a payment of any kind" and "not ransom" to secure the release of the Americans.
Why did Donald Trump slam Joe Biden over the American-Iran deal?
After the Biden Administration informed Congress about the waivers, former President Donald Trump called Joe Biden ‘incompetent’ and accused him of ‘destroying America’.
“Can you believe that Crooked Joe Biden is giving $6 Billion to the terrorist regime in Iran? That money be used for terrorism all over the Middle East, and, indeed, the World,” he said in a social media post.
“This incompetent FOOL is absolutely destroying America. He had the audacity to announce this terrible deal today, September 11th. To pay for hostages will lead to kidnapping, ransom, and blackmail against Americans across the globe. I freed many dozens of our people from various unfriendly countries and never paid a dime!" the Republican candidate running for the 2024 US presidential elections added.
Who is Franklin Sahlhoff?
Not much is known about Franklin Sahlhoff but he has supported her throughout their relationship since 2015. Through their social media posts, Sahlhoff and Heinrich are often seen having a good time in their various moments together. In 2018, the occassional Fox News anchor took to her Facebook handle to share a mushy picture of the couple from memorable Emmy Awards, where they had a picture-perfect moment on the red carpet.
Several months later, Heinrich shared a Valentine's Day photo of the awesome-looking couple with the caption, "I'd be happy anywhere as long as it's with you." Sahlhoff previously celebrated her achievements with a social media post, where he wrote, "A couple days ago my sun bb won an emmy award for best reporter in the boston market (#7 in the nation) & generally im always in awe of her but just making a mental note of how proud i am of the truest person i know."
