Biden Administration Accused of Delaying ‘Wrongful Detainee’ Designation for Marc Fogel
Republicans and former officials have accused the Biden administration of intentionally delaying the designation of Marc Fogel, an American teacher imprisoned in Russia, as a "wrongful detainee." This designation would have expedited his release and provided additional support to his family.
Political Motives Alleged
Representative Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.), a vocal advocate for Fogel, asserted that the Biden administration viewed Fogel as "an average White guy from flyover country" and therefore overlooked his case. Reschenthaler claims that the administration’s motivation was to avoid giving former President Donald Trump a political victory by securing Fogel’s release before Trump’s inauguration.
Discrepancy with Brittney Griner Treatment
Lawmakers drew attention to the disparity in treatment between Fogel and Brittney Griner, a WNBA player who was quickly classified as a wrongful detainee after her arrest in Russia. They argued that Fogel met similar criteria for the designation, yet his case was inexplicably delayed.
Intervention by Trump Administration
Reschenthaler maintains that the Biden administration’s reluctance to designate Fogel stemmed from their knowledge that Trump intended to do so. He suggests that the administration rushed the designation before leaving office to deny Trump the credit.
Role of Robert O’Brien
Former White House national security advisor Robert O’Brien confirmed that he reached out to the Russian ambassador to advocate for Fogel’s release on humanitarian grounds. He claims that the Biden administration encouraged his efforts but ultimately took no concrete action.
Biden Administration’s Defense
A former Biden administration official defended the administration’s handling of Fogel’s case, stating that wrongful detainee designations do not affect the level of advocacy provided to individuals abroad. The official pointed to the administration’s efforts to secure the release of over 70 detained individuals.
Bipartisan Push for Designation
Despite the Biden administration’s resistance, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Marc Fogel Act, requiring the State Department to provide documentation and explanations for withholding wrongful detainee designations within six months of arrest.
Diplomatic Stalemate
Representative Mark Kelly (R-Pa.) described a lack of urgency within the State Department to designate Fogel as a wrongful detainee, despite the efforts of career officials. Kelly suggested that the political leadership was disinterested in pursuing the case.
Trump’s Return to the White House
Reschenthaler was present at the White House on Fogel’s return to the United States, along with former President Trump. Reschenthaler praised Trump for fulfilling his promise to secure Fogel’s release, contrasting it with the Biden administration’s alleged inaction.
Nonpartisan Effort
Ambassador Roger Carstens, Biden’s special envoy for hostage affairs, acknowledged the cooperation between the Trump and Biden administrations in securing Fogel’s release. He emphasized the nonpartisan nature of efforts to bring Americans home.
Future Implications
Reschenthaler concluded by highlighting the importance of strong leadership in addressing such cases and expressed his gratitude to Trump for intervening in Fogel’s situation. The article underscores the challenges faced by the Biden administration in dealing with wrongful detentions abroad, as well as the potential political motivations that can influence such decisions.
