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Biden Betrays Teacher Trapped In Russia

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Why would Biden leave an American behind?

In the recent US-Russia prisoner exchange, which successfully secured the release of Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich and Marine veteran Paul Whelan, one significant individual was notably absent: Marc Fogel. This oversight has sparked considerable backlash, especially from Pennsylvania’s senior senator.

On August 2, the prisoner swap was celebrated for bringing Gershkovich and Whelan back to their families, but it also highlighted the ongoing plight of Marc Fogel, a Pittsburgh teacher who remains imprisoned in Russia. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) issued a statement expressing his satisfaction with the release of Gershkovich and Whelan but voiced deep concern over Fogel’s continued detention.

Casey pointed out that Fogel’s health has severely deteriorated since his imprisonment, noting that the 65-year-old teacher has been suffering significantly since his arrest in August 2021. Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian prison after being caught with 0.6 ounces of medical marijuana. Casey criticized the current administration for not securing Fogel’s release, emphasizing the need for a more aggressive stance on his behalf.

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Malphine Fogel, Marc Fogel’s 95-year-old mother, has been vocal in her criticism of both Senator Casey and President Joe Biden. In a recent interview, she urged Casey to push harder for Fogel to be officially recognized as “unlawfully detained” by the State Department—a designation that could significantly impact his case. She expressed her fear that she might never see her son again, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

In response, GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick met with Malphine Fogel and underscored the critical need for her son’s designation as “wrongfully detained” to ensure he receives necessary medical care. McCormick echoed sentiments shared by former President Donald Trump, who also met with Malphine Fogel and pledged to secure her son’s release if elected.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan recently used the term “wrongfully detained” in reference to Fogel, marking the first acknowledgment of this status from a Biden administration official. Meanwhile, Casey’s bipartisan efforts, including a resolution calling for Fogel’s release that passed unanimously in the Senate, reflect a rare divergence from the Biden administration’s position. Casey, who has been a strong supporter of Biden’s policies, is now advocating more assertively for Fogel, showing a notable shift in his approach.