The Trump administration has successfully negotiated the release of American teacher Marc Fogel from a Russian penal colony. 
Fogel, 63, was given a 14-year prison sentence for possessing medical marijuana in 2021. An employee of the Anglo-American School of Moscow, Fogel spent 27 years teaching overseas, and was planning to retire the year he was arrested. An American doctor prescribed the marijuana after Fogel had surgeries on his back, shoulder, and knee. 
Fogel’s release was negotiated by Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. Fogel was flown out of Russia on Witkoff’s private jet, The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/us/politics/russia-releases-us-prisoner-after-talks-with-trump-envoy.html">reported</a>. It is unclear what the United States offered Russia to secure Fogel’s release.
The Fogel family was first alerted to his release on Thursday when they were informed Fogel was moved from the Rybinsk penal colony to SIZO in the Yaroslavl region. 
“President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the president’s advisers negotiated an exchange that serves as a show of good faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine,” National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said in a statement.
Fogel’s family fought relentlessly for his release over the past four years. His 95-year-old mother, Malphine, met with Trump at his July rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he told her he would do everything he could to free her son if elected.
“When I met President Trump, he told me to take his arm because he could see I struggle with walking after I broke my kneecap,” Malphine told The Daily Wire. “He was very cordial and interested in my son’s situation. I just kept telling him he needs to remember Marc’s name.”
Malphine was scheduled to appear <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-trump-rally-vip-recounts-heroism-amid-assassination-attempt-chaos">on stage</a> with Trump until a would-be assassin fired at Trump. Fogel was standing about 25 feet away from Trump when the shots rang out.
Malphine said Trump repeated Marc’s name and promised to get him out three times. 
Fogel had strong allies in his corner, including Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA), who advocated for Fogel’s release. During Rubio’s confirmation hearing, McCormick asked about Fogel.
“This is a case that has to be elevated and hopefully one that can be done through strong private diplomacy at a minimum as a goodwill gesture because if they are not willing to do this… then I think the chances of improvement in U.S.-Russia relations are impossible,” Rubio said.
He added that he has met with Fogel’s family in the past and believes Marc was arrested because of an order in Russia to arrest Americans for anything they can be charged with in order to exchange them in the future.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Marco Rubio just said that improving U.S.-Russia relations will be impossible unless Russian authorities release Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher who has been imprisoned in Russia for over three years.
I&#8217;ve been covering Fogel&#8217;s case for months. It is a sad one. <a href="https://t.co/szP45AtmyD">pic.twitter.com/szP45AtmyD</a>
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) <a href="https://twitter.com/KassyAkiva/status/1879568117514580422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
According to Free Marc Fogel spokesperson Vicki Iseman, the majority of cases like Fogel’s in Russia are thrown out before making it to trial. 

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Trump Administration Secures Release Of Marc Fogel, American Teacher Imprisoned In Russia

3 Americans Arrested In ISIS Case That Authorities Say Was A Betrayal Of America

Netanyahu Backs Bill That Few Expected Him To Support

Leftist Scientists Caught Sneaking 113 Vials Of Monkeypox Into America

Man Who Threatened To Bomb TPUSA Event Spent Months Obsessing Over Erika Kirk

Radical Arrested For Bomb Threat Against Erika Kirk

Chilling Post Adds New Twist To Ivanka Trump Assassination Plot

News

Donald Trump

Prisoners

Russia

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News —

Trump Administration Secures Release Of Marc Fogel, American Teacher Imprisoned In Russia