Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) recently flew to El Salvador to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a verified MS-13 gang member, domestic abuser, and illegal immigrant rightfully deported by the Trump administration. The White House is clear: Abrego Garcia is a dangerous criminal tied to a terrorist organization. His deportation to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) on March 15, 2025, was lawful and necessary to protect Americans. Yet, Democrats, led by Van Hollen, have turned this terrorist into a cause célèbre, exploiting his case for political gain while ignoring the needs of American citizens.
Abrego Garcia is no victim. As a ranking MS-13 member, he’s part of a gang notorious for violence and drug trafficking, designated a terrorist group by the U.S. His history of domestic violence and illegal status further justify his removal. The Trump administration acted within its rights, sending him to CECOT, where El Salvador’s government, under President Nayib Bukele, holds such criminals. This decisive action reflects the commitment to national security that Americans demand.
Van Hollen’s trip to San Salvador on April 17, 2025, was a taxpayer-funded publicity stunt. Meeting Abrego Garcia in a hotel after being denied prison access, he prioritized a gang member over his constituents. This wasn’t compassion—it was grandstanding to appease the far-left. If Democrats cared about families, they’d focus on Americans struggling with crime and economic hardship, not illegal immigrants tied to terrorism. Van Hollen’s energy could have aided veterans or addressed the opioid crisis, but he chose a criminal instead.
The White House rightly condemned this hypocrisy. Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai called Van Hollen’s actions “truly disgusting,” accusing Democrats of favoring an “MS-13 terrorist” over citizens. President Trump slammed Van Hollen on Truth Social, branding him a “GRANDSTANDER.” Democrats’ defense of Abrego Garcia exposes their true priorities: coddling criminals while neglecting law-abiding Americans. Their rhetoric paints gang members as victims, ignoring MS-13’s real victims—families torn apart by violence.
Congress must act. Van Hollen’s trip was a betrayal of public trust, using taxpayer dollars to advocate for a terrorist-affiliated illegal immigrant. No constituent demanded this. A formal censure is warranted to hold him accountable and signal that elected officials must prioritize Americans, not criminals. Failure to act risks further eroding faith in our institutions.
The Trump administration shows true leadership by deporting threats like Abrego Garcia. Democrats, however, choose political theater over governance. Congress should censure Van Hollen, reject this criminal-coddling agenda, and put America first. The safety of our nation depends on it
