Marc Fogel’s safe return home providential
The terrifying moments shortly after 6 p.m. on July 13, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds will be etched in history forever. A would-be assassin fired eight shots at then-candidate and now-President Donald Trump.
Trump and two other men — David Dutch and James Copenhaver — were injured. The gunman took the life of Corey Comperatore. We continue to pray for the Comperatore family as they heal, and for Mr. Copenhaver and Mr. Dutch as they recover.
There is also a story from that hot July day in Butler County you may not know. Before Trump took the stage to address supporters, he met backstage with Malphine Fogel, mother of Marc Fogel. Marc was sentenced in 2021 to 14 years in a Russian prison on drug charges for possession of medical marijuana used to treat his severe back injury.
During the meeting, as Malphine Fogel and her family recently have recounted, Trump took her arm and made this commitment to her: If he were elected, he would bring Marc home.
On Tuesday, after more than three years in a Russian penal colony, Marc was released and returned to the United States.
I can’t help but think about how Marc’s safe return — just 23 days into President Trump’s second term — is providential. I can’t help but wonder how different Marc’s situation would be if President Trump had not turned his head to look at the video board just as shots were fired during the rally that day in Butler.
I believe the meeting between President Trump and Malphine Fogel was providential. It was the catalyst for Marc’s safe return to the United States.
Since Marc was imprisoned in Russia, I and my colleagues in Washington have met with Malphine Fogel and her family many times. We’ve advocated on their behalf and have worked with both the Biden and Trump administrations to free Marc Fogel.
When previous hostage deals were struck between the U.S. and Russia, both Republicans and Democrats in Washington were collectively disappointed to learn those deals did not include Marc.
But this week, there was a bipartisan sigh of relief when we learned Marc would finally, after more than 1,200 days, be coming home.
During the president’s July 13 rally in Butler, I sat beside Malphine Fogel, just feet away from the president. We spoke about Marc and about her hope that change in Washington would lead to her son’s return.
The issue was never political for her. At age 95, it was always personal. She wanted to see her son again. Now, she can.
I thank President Trump and his administration for their valiant efforts to reunite the Fogel family. May we also take a moment to think about how providential that meeting in Butler was on July 13 for Marc Fogel, his mother and their family.
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, a Republican, represents Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional District, which includes Butler County.
