Former Pennsylvania history teacher Marc Fogel has been released from Russian custody and is returning to the United States, according to an announcement made by the Trump administration. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz confirmed that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff successfully negotiated Fogel's release and is escorting him back to American soil.

Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2021 after being arrested at a Russian airport for possessing medically prescribed marijuana. The U.S. government later designated him as wrongfully detained. He had been teaching at the Anglo-American School in Moscow for nine years prior to his arrest.

Fogel's family expressed immense relief and gratitude for President Trump's role in securing his release, describing the ordeal as the "darkest and most painful period of our lives." They also thanked their legal teams in both the U.S. and Russia for their tireless efforts.

Fogel's legal team echoed the family's sentiments, praising President Trump for his swift and decisive action in securing Fogel’s release after years of what they called “bureaucratic inaction.” His Russian legal team expressed hope that this release would contribute to improved relations between the U.S. and Russia.

In an interview with Fox News, Fogel's mother, Malphine, shared her surprise and joy at her son's unexpected call from a Moscow airport. She expressed her desire for him to reunite with his wife and sons, who have endured immense suffering during his detention. She also recounted a previous meeting with Trump, during which he promised to secure Fogel's release if elected, a promise she says he kept.

Waltz emphasized President Trump's commitment to securing the release of all Americans detained abroad. Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also commended the efforts that led to Fogel's release. Former CIA station chief Dan Hoffman described the release as a "major foreign policy success." Fogel's release follows a previous prisoner exchange in 2024 that freed other Americans detained in Russia, including journalist Evan Gershkovich and corporate security executive Paul Whelan.

Fogel's mother noted that her son had never complained about the conditions of his detention beyond the fact of being detained. A 1984 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Fogel dedicated his career to education, teaching history at schools attended by children of U.S. diplomats in various countries. His mother expressed her belief that President Trump and Senator Marco Rubio were instrumental in securing his release.