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American schoolteacher Marc Fogel is finally back on U.S. soil after spending over three years in a Russian prison.
The 63-year-old Pennsylvania native had been sentenced to 14 years for possessing medically prescribed marijuana. He was freed following negotiations led by President Donald Trump and his special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
Fogel’s release was announced Tuesday by national security adviser Mike Waltz, who credited Trump’s leadership for securing the deal.
“Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia,” Waltz said in a statement.
He further described the prisoner exchange as a positive step toward ending the war in Ukraine, calling it a “show of good faith” from Moscow.
The specifics of the exchange remain unclear, as U.S. officials have not disclosed what Russia received in return.
When pressed by reporters, Trump downplayed the cost, stating, “Not much,” while expressing optimism about potential future diplomatic progress. “We were treated very nicely by Russia, actually,” he added, suggesting that Fogel’s release could be the beginning of a broader effort to bring an end to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Fogel’s arrest in August 2021 had drawn widespread criticism, particularly in contrast to the swift release of WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was also detained in Russia on drug charges but freed after less than a year under the Biden administration.
Fogel, who had been living in Moscow for nearly a decade teaching the children of diplomats, was carrying approximately half an ounce of marijuana prescribed to him for chronic pain when he was stopped at a Russian airport.
Despite being designated as “wrongfully detained” by the U.S. government in October 2024, he remained behind bars until Trump’s recent intervention.
His release was met with celebration, particularly from his family and supporters who had long campaigned for his return. His 95-year-old mother, Malphine Fogel, had previously shared her frustration over her son’s prolonged detention compared to Griner’s case. She personally met Trump at a Pennsylvania rally last July, where she recalled him making a direct promise: “If I get in, I will get him out.”
After landing safely back in the United States, Marc Fogel was escorted to the White House, where he was personally greeted by President Donald Trump in the Diplomatic Reception Room. The 63-year-old schoolteacher, still processing the reality of his freedom, was draped in an American flag as he stepped forward to embrace the president.
Trump, standing tall and confident, shook Fogel’s hand firmly before pulling him into a brief hug, a rare display of personal warmth from the president. “To me, he looks damned good,” Trump remarked with a smile, patting Fogel on the back. The former detainee, who had spent more than three years in harsh Russian prison conditions, looked overwhelmed with emotion but visibly relieved to be standing on American soil.
Fogel thanked Trump directly, acknowledging the president’s role in his release. “Without you, I’d still be over there. I can’t thank you enough.”
In response, Trump waved off the praise with a characteristic mix of confidence and humility. “You don’t have to thank me,” he said. “We take care of our own.”
The move is the latest in a series of high-profile negotiations under Trump’s second term aimed at bringing wrongfully detained Americans home.
While Biden’s administration had previously failed to secure Fogel’s release, the new administration’s swift action has been praised by political allies. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA), called it a “blessing” that Fogel was finally home.
Trump also hinted that another detained American would be released on February 12, though details remain undisclosed. His administration’s efforts to free U.S. citizens held abroad continue to stand in contrast to the previous administration’s approach, reaffirming his commitment to what he calls “America First” diplomacy.