Trump welcomes Marc Fogel back to US at White House, after securing his release from Russia prison

President Trump late Tuesday night welcomed American Marc Fogel back to the U.S. in a White House after securing his release from a Russian prison in which he spent roughly three years in captivity.

Fogel, a 63-year-old school teacher, arrived in the U.S., at Joint Base Andrews, at about 9:25 p.m. with a U.S. flag draped over his shoulder and arrived at the White House about 45 minutes later.

He was arrested in 2021 on drug charges in Russia and was given a 14-year prison sentence.

"I am not a hero," Fogel told reporters assembled at the White House's Diplomatic Reception Room for his scheduled arrival. "President Donald Trump is a hero."

Trump made clear that Fogle's return was part of a prisoner swap but provided no specifics.

“Somebody else is being released tomorrow that you will know of," he told reporters

Trump and Fogel thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for the release of Fogel.