Former ambassador Michael McFaul, who served under former President Barack Obama’s administration, praised President Donald Trump during an appearance Tuesday on MSNBC.
Russia released Marc Fogel, an American teacher detained for more than three years on minor medical marijuana charges, and he is en route to the U.S., according to the White House. During an appearance on “Chris Jansing Reports,” McFaul, a vocal critic of Trump, praised what he said was Trump’s role in achieving Fogel’s release.
“Hallelujah. Fantastic news. Praise be to President Donald Trump. That’s not a phrase I get to say very often. I don’t know the circumstances. I don’t know the deal. We’ll learn those later,” McFaul said when asked for his reaction to the release of Fogel, who is his friend.
McFaul has been a vocal critic of Trump and just published an article outlining his disapproval of Trump’s foreign policy decisions, particularly his approach to international alliances and trade. He said Trump undermined U.S. relationships with key allies, disrupted global trade agreements, and reduced the effectiveness of the United States in competing with China and Russia in the new era of great power competition.
McFaul said that Fogel’s health had deteriorated significantly during his detention, which made his release all the more urgent.
“Marc was in bad health. He was wrongfully detained for years. This is an American patriot. This is a fantastic human being. He was a teacher to one of my sons. He was an integral member of our community in Moscow when I lived there,” McFaul said. “And this is just fantastic news for anybody who cares about patriotic Americans.”
Trump announced plans on Tuesday to meet with Fogel at the White House. Upon hearing the news, Fogel’s 95-year-old mother, Malphine “Mafa” Fogel, said “Don’t tell Trump. He was never a Trump supporter. He will be.”
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said in a statement that “by tonight, Marc Fogel will be on American soil and reunited with his family and loved ones thanks to President Trump’s leadership.”
Waltz said Fogel is currently aboard a plane with U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, having already left Russian airspace. A White House official informed NBC News that Fogel’s journey home involves traveling on one of Witkoff’s private planes. He was expected to land at Joint Base Andrews around 9 p.m. EST. Shortly after his arrival, Fogel is scheduled to meet with Trump in the Oval Office.
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