U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the below statement following the announcement that President Trump secured the release of U.S. citizen Marc Fogel. Fogel has family in Montana and was serving a 14-year sentence of hard labor in a Russian prison for possession of marijuana.
“This is a major victory for President Trump, the United States and most importantly, Marc Fogel and his family. No American should have to endure this injustice, and I am relieved Marc is on his way home to the country he loves. Thank you, President Trump, for finally securing Mr. Fogel’s safe return,” said Senator Daines.
Background:
Daines commended the U.S. State Department for finally designating Fogel as “wrongfully detained” at the end of 2024. Click HERE to view the letter Daines and former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Mike McFaul sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling on the State Department to deem Marc Fogel wrongfully detained.
Daines introduced a bipartisan resolution demanding Russia release Fogel.
Daines also called for Fogel’s release on the Senate floor in July 2023.