Since taking office, President Donald J. Trump and his administration have secured the release of 47 detained Americans abroad — and that’s just the beginning as countries around the world respond to our renewed display of American strength and President Trump’s commitment to leaving no American behind.
The released American citizens include:
Ksenia Karelina — an American ballet dancer who was wrongfully detained in a Russian penal colony for 14 months — returned home in April.
- “Mr. Trump, I’m so, so grateful for you to bring me home and for [the] American government. And I never felt more blessed to be American — and I’m so, so happy to get home. Thank you,” Karelina said.
Marc Fogel — an American teacher who was wrongfully detained in a Russian prison for years — returned home in February, making good on a promise President Trump made to Fogel’s 95-year-old mother, Malphine.
- “President Trump is a hero … I will forever be indebted to President Trump, to Steve [Witkoff] over there — what a dynamic man this guy is. When I met him, the energy, the can-do attitude just exudes from his body,” Fogel said.
Keith Siegel — an American held hostage by Hamas for 484 days — was freed in February.
- “I am here and I am alive. President Trump, you saved my life. You saved the life of 33 hostages because of your efforts,” Siegel said.
George Glezmann — an American held by the Taliban in Afghanistan for 836 days — was freed in March, joining Americans Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, who were released on the night of President Trump’s inauguration.
- “President Trump — amazing. Thank God he’s in the White House where he’s at and thank God he got me out … I’m in debt with everybody that was involved in this equation because they got me home. A free American individual, free from the hands of these people that abducted because of my U.S. passport, basically — and I’m just thankful. I got no words to express my gratitude for my liberty, my freedom,” Glezmann said.