President Donald Trump welcomed newly-freed American Marc Fogel at the White House late Tuesday, following his release from a Russian prison where he was incarcerated for nearly 1300 days. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz announced the diplomatic development after he was received into American custody.
“I feel like the luckiest man on Earth right now,” Fogel said to media in an emotional White House press conference.
“I am in awe of what they all did,” he added.
“When I saw [Marc Fogel’s] mother at a rally, she said, ‘If you win, will you get my son out?’ I promised her—she’s 95 years old—and I said, ‘We’ll get him out,’ and we got him out pretty quickly,” President Trump said.
Fogel was convicted on charges stemming from an August 2021 arrest at a Moscow airport over possession of medically prescribed marijuana. At the time of his release by Russian authorities, he was nearly four years into a 14-year prison sentence.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, “While Marc Fogel’s release and an end to the war in Ukraine are not directly linked, it’s a good sign that Russia was willing to be cooperative.” Rubio emphasized that the move could potentially foster further dialogue and cooperation towards resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz noted, “Since President Trump’s swearing-in, he has successfully secured the release of Americans detained around the world, and President Trump will continue until all Americans being held are returned to the United States.”
Fogel, a history teacher from Butler County, Pennsylvania, was previously designated as “wrongfully detained” by the U.S. State Department.
In a statement celebrating his release, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA-16) posted on X,” Promises made, promises kept by President Trump. Truly providential.”
U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (R-PA-17) said early Wednesday, “Marc Fogel has now arrived safely on American soil after over 3 years of unjust imprisonment in Russia. ‘Bring Marc Home’ has been written on my office’s whiteboard since shortly after I was sworn-in early 2023. It’s been a focus for my entire team since.”
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) said, “Marc Fogel’s return home is long overdue—and I know all of Pennsylvania, especially his family, will be welcoming him back with open arms. I want to thank @POTUS and @SteveWitkoff for their efforts in finally bringing Marc home.”
While the specifics of Fogel’s exchange remain undisclosed, President Trump hinted at another upcoming release. The president said that the U.S. had given “not much,” and expressed hope that this event could foster improved relations with Russia, potentially aiding in ending the war in Ukraine.
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Christina Botteri is the Executive Editor of The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow her on X at @christinakb.
