Staff Reports
A remarkable scene unfolded at the White House, one that exemplifies the contrast between true leadership and the ineptitude of the previous administration. Marc Fogel, a Pittsburgh-area teacher who recently returned from being unjustly imprisoned in Russia, made headlines after expressing heartfelt gratitude to former President Donald Trump for securing his release. This came as a surprise to nobody familiar with Trump’s track record when it comes to standing up for Americans abroad—especially those with real-life issues, not just celebrities looking for a PR boost.
Fogel, who had been stuck in a Russian cell for far too long for the supposedly heinous crime of bringing medical marijuana into the country, displayed an extraordinary sense of humility upon his return. While trying to deflect praise from himself, he made it abundantly clear that it was Trump, not he, who deserved the title of hero for making the proper arrangements to bring him back home. In a time filled with noise and chaos, such clarity is refreshing.
The stark reality, however, is that had Joe Biden been in charge, Fogel’s homecoming would likely still be a pipe dream. While under Trump’s negotiation, Fogel was brought home in a covert operation befitting of a spy thriller, one can only assume that under Biden, Fogel would have remained another statistic in a long list of forgotten Americans. The previous administration seemed more interested in pandering to identity politics than in securing the release of those who simply wanted to return to their lives. Let’s not kid ourselves; a 63-year-old history teacher doesn’t fit into the “right demographics” that grab the spotlight.
The whole story is laced with irony that makes the situation all that more laughable. The media’s collective jaw dropped when Fogel affectionately dubbed Trump a hero. The shocked faces of reporters were a fitting encapsulation of their ongoing Trump derangement syndrome, as they struggle to reconcile their dislike for the man with his undeniable successes. All the while, Biden’s administration chose to focus on securing the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner—a fine individual, no doubt—but the contrast couldn’t be more glaring. Choosing a basketball player over an American teacher demonstrates sheer negligence.
Watch: Teacher Trump Rescued from Russia Gut-Punches Media 10 Seconds Into Press Conference: Despite getting WNBA player Brittney Griner back from Russia after she was held on a drug charge, Biden appeared to be content to let Fogel languish in one of… https://t.co/QLvzicXM7U pic.twitter.com/xoqWLpEKHJ
— The Western Journal (@WestJournalism) February 12, 2025
Yet, as the story unfolded, darker elements appeared. When asked about concessions made for Fogel’s release, Trump asserted there was little given in return. This only magnifies the incompetence of the Biden era. It raises the nagging question: how many other Americans linger in foreign prisons because of an administration that prioritizes social justice over basic human rights? It’s beyond alarming that American citizens face the risk of being relegated to mere footnotes in global diplomacy.
Yet, amidst the chaos, the take-home message remains clear: unlike the previous president who seemed more comfortable with rhetoric than action, America now has a leader who steps up to the plate when it counts. The spectacle of Marc Fogel, a common man with a Steelers hat, returning home and proclaiming Trump a hero offers a reminder of the kind of leadership many Americans crave. One can only hope the days of letting overseas injustices slide in favor of political posturing are over.
