President Obama played off the $400 million cash payment to Iran as retiring a debt, not some “nefarious” ransom deal in exchange for American hostages. He also complained that the media made too much of the transaction, making it “feel like some spy novel.” But new details have emerged that indicate this was, in fact, a ransom after all.

U.S. officials spoke to The Wall Street Journal and described a very different story taking place from the official account from the Obama administration:

“U.S. officials wouldn’t let Iranians take control of the money until a Swiss Air Force plane carrying three freed Americans departed from Tehran on Jan. 17, the officials said. Once that happened, an Iranian cargo plane was allowed to bring the cash back from a Geneva airport that day, according to the accounts.”

The specific instructions explicitly stated that the plane carrying the American prisoners had to be “wheels up” before the Iranian plane left Switzerland, according to The Washington Times.

Justice Department officials believed the crucial timing of the exchange would certainly appear to any sane person to be a prisoner swap for cash. That’s called a ransom. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus called it out for what it was:

“It’s time for the Obama White House to drop the charade and admit it paid a $400 million ransom to the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. President Obama has foolishly put a price on the head of every American abroad and it should be no surprise that Iran has since detained more U.S. citizens.”

Congress is expected to begin hearings on the transfer when it returns from August recess.