On Tuesday evening, former President Donald Trump greeted Marc Fogel at the White House, marking the end of the American teacher's three-year incarceration in Russia. Fogel's release was part of a prisoner exchange orchestrated by Trump's administration. "This should have been done a long time ago. We completed it in just over two weeks... [President Biden] should have freed him three and a half years ago," Trump remarked, as quoted in a White House statement on platform X.
"Thank you all, I love our country and am incredibly happy to be back here. I wish I could express it better," Fogel shared during a meeting with Trump in the Diplomatic Reception Room. The White House celebrated his return with a post on X: "Marc Fogel is back! Promises made, promises kept," accompanied by a series of photos from the event.
Fogel, a distinguished history teacher with a career in international education, was arrested in 2021 at a Moscow airport. Russian authorities discovered a quantity of medicinal cannabis prescribed for his chronic back pain in his luggage. Accused of drug trafficking, he received a 14-year sentence in 2022, raising alarm among his family and U.S. diplomatic circles.
Prior to his arrest, Fogel taught at the Anglo-American School of Moscow, educating the children of diplomats and expatriates. Originally from Pennsylvania, his teaching career spanned several prestigious institutions worldwide, establishing his reputation as a respected educator.
For years, the U.S. government attempted unsuccessfully to include Fogel in prisoner swaps. Ultimately, the Trump administration secured his release through an agreement with Russia, the specifics of which remain undisclosed. The White House heralded this as a positive step in U.S.-Russia relations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also expressed joy over the American teacher's return.
A Promise Fulfilled
Trump expressed his honor in playing a role in Fogel's release, calling it a promise kept. In a message on X, he recounted a promise made to Fogel's 95-year-old mother during a rally: "When I saw Marc Fogel's mother, she asked, 'If you win, will you bring my son home?' I promised her, 'We'll get him out.' And we did it quite swiftly," Trump wrote.
Fogel's family, who had tirelessly advocated for his freedom, celebrated his return as the end of a harrowing chapter. "This has been the darkest and most painful time of our lives, but today we begin to heal," they stated in a release.
Insights into Marc Fogel's Release and Repatriation
Why was Marc Fogel imprisoned in Russia?
Marc Fogel was arrested in 2021 at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities found medicinal cannabis in his luggage, which was prescribed for his chronic back pain. He was accused of drug trafficking and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
How did the Trump administration secure Fogel's release?
The Trump administration facilitated Marc Fogel's release through a negotiated prisoner exchange with Russia. The detailed terms of the agreement have not been fully disclosed.
What was the reaction of Marc Fogel's family to his release?
Marc Fogel's family expressed immense relief and happiness at his return, describing the period of his imprisonment as the darkest and most painful time of their lives. They now look forward to healing and moving forward.