You may be right, but I’m quite suspicious of this move to get them out of the country ASAP. What’s the hurry?
We only had them in custody for several days. It takes a considerable amount of time to get all the information you want out of spies. Why didn’t we want to know everything we could have gleaned from them?
If it’s as you say and they were low level, perhaps you’re right. On the other hand, we’ve got a guy in there right now whose buddies like to mingle with the worst sorts, these sorts.
Due process. The clock starts ticking for the government the moment the defendant is arraigned. with every passing moment, the impending discovery motions loom nearer.
The spy swap in '85 happened just as fast, perhaps faster than this one.
If you read some of the other stories, it's clear that the FBI had their number years ago, including compromising the Russians communications, and the ability to decipher their cryptology. Essentially, the government already knew everything the spies knew. This wasn't the end of a Russian intel ring, this was the end of a carefully crafted and extremely well-executed US counter-intelligence operation.
I had similar concerns/suspicions. ODH is making a lot of sense. I'm glad for the perspective.
“Why didn’t we want to know everything we could have gleaned from them?”
Maybe it might embarrass some American citizens to be proven they have been collaborting with the enemy?
1 - One of the people Russia released is connected to a big donor (or, maybe, actually has some information);
2 - All of the Russian agents worked on Pres. Obama's campaign and have information about foreign funding or fake overseas voters.
3 - One of the Russian agents knew about a personal incident involving our president or the first lady.
Personally, I go for #2