President Donald Trump blasted Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) as a “fool” on Friday after he traveled to El Salvador to meet with a deported illegal immigrant who officials claim is an MS-13 gang member.
“Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland looked like a fool yesterday standing in El Salvador begging for attention from the Fake News Media, or anyone. GRANDSTANDER!!!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old illegal immigrant with temporary protected status, was deported to El Salvador’s “Terrorism Confinement Center” (CECOT) last month.
The Trump administration acknowledged in court that his deportation was an “administrative error,” although some in Trump’s orbit now contend he was correctly removed and is a member of the notorious MS-13 gang.
Van Hollen met with Garcia at the prison and later posted on X: “I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.”
I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return. pic.twitter.com/U9y2gZpxCb
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) April 18, 2025
The Democratic senator had earlier claimed Garcia had been “illegally abducted” and was being held in a “notorious prison.”
The Trump administration said in a statement to the New York Post, “Chris Van Hollen has firmly established Democrats as the party whose top priority is the welfare of an illegal alien MS-13 terrorist.”
“It is truly disgusting. President Trump will continue to stand on the side of law-abiding Americans,” the statement said.
Court documents released by the Trump administration from 2021 reveal that Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez, accused him of domestic violence, although the case was dismissed after Vasquez failed to appear in court, saying in a statement that “we were able to work through this situation privately as a family.”
However, at the time, Vasquez said, “At this point, I am afraid to be close to him. I have multiple photos/videos of how violent he can be and all the bruises he [has] left me.”
Garcia’s wife released a statement through the Associated Press saying, “We still have so many questions, hopes, and fears” regarding her husband’s situation, even as the previously filed domestic violence allegations have come to light.”
Both a federal district court and the U.S. Supreme Court have ordered the Trump administration to “facilitate” Garcia’s release and return to the U.S. for proper deportation proceedings.
The situation highlights a broader conflict between the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement priorities and judicial rulings.
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[[{“value”:”
President Donald Trump blasted Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) as a “fool” on Friday after he traveled to El Salvador to meet with a deported illegal immigrant who officials claim is an MS-13 gang member.
“Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland looked like a fool yesterday standing in El Salvador begging for attention from the Fake News Media, or anyone. GRANDSTANDER!!!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old illegal immigrant with temporary protected status, was deported to El Salvador’s “Terrorism Confinement Center” (CECOT) last month.
The Trump administration acknowledged in court that his deportation was an “administrative error,” although some in Trump’s orbit now contend he was correctly removed and is a member of the notorious MS-13 gang.
Van Hollen met with Garcia at the prison and later posted on X: “I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.”
I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return. pic.twitter.com/U9y2gZpxCb
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) April 18, 2025
The Democratic senator had earlier claimed Garcia had been “illegally abducted” and was being held in a “notorious prison.”
The Trump administration said in a statement to the New York Post, “Chris Van Hollen has firmly established Democrats as the party whose top priority is the welfare of an illegal alien MS-13 terrorist.”
“It is truly disgusting. President Trump will continue to stand on the side of law-abiding Americans,” the statement said.
Court documents released by the Trump administration from 2021 reveal that Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez, accused him of domestic violence, although the case was dismissed after Vasquez failed to appear in court, saying in a statement that “we were able to work through this situation privately as a family.”
However, at the time, Vasquez said, “At this point, I am afraid to be close to him. I have multiple photos/videos of how violent he can be and all the bruises he [has] left me.”
Garcia’s wife released a statement through the Associated Press saying, “We still have so many questions, hopes, and fears” regarding her husband’s situation, even as the previously filed domestic violence allegations have come to light.”
Both a federal district court and the U.S. Supreme Court have ordered the Trump administration to “facilitate” Garcia’s release and return to the U.S. for proper deportation proceedings.
The situation highlights a broader conflict between the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement priorities and judicial rulings.
“}]]
