TL/DR –
Senator Chris Van Hollen has accused the Trump administration of ignoring court orders regarding the return of a wrongfully deported Maryland man, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia. The senator has criticised the administration’s inaction and its decision to release unfavourable records about Mr. Garcia, including domestic abuse allegations from his wife in 2021 and a suspected case of human trafficking in 2022. Van Hollen also voiced concern over the potential impact of the case on the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens, warning that the denial of Mr. Garcia’s rights could threaten the rights of all Americans.
Senator Van Hollen Accuses Trump Administration of Ignoring Court Orders
Senator Chris Van Hollen has criticized the Trump administration for “outright defying” court orders to return a wrongfully deported Maryland man, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia. Van Hollen had traveled to El Salvador to advocate for Abrego Garcia’s release.
“Facilitating his return means something more than doing nothing, and they are doing nothing,” Van Hollen stated on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Abrego Garcia was deported to a notorious Salvadoran prison in March due to an “administrative error,” according to an administration lawyer. Despite a federal appeals court and the Supreme Court urging the administration to facilitate his return, no action has been taken.
The White House has instead publicized a past domestic abuse allegation from Abrego Garcia’s wife from 2021 and a police report from a 2022 highway stop in Tennessee, which raised suspicion of human trafficking. Both incidents have been defended by Abrego Garcia’s wife.
Administration Accused of Changing the Subject
“What Donald Trump is trying to do is change the subject,” Van Hollen said. “If you have evidence, take it to the court.” He urged the administration to stop publicizing unfavorable records about Abrego Garcia.
The administration’s accusations that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang, based solely on his attire, have been dismissed as “unsubstantiated” by a federal judge.
Constitutional Rights at Stake
Van Hollen emphasized that this case is about more than just one man. He warned that the outcome of Mr. Abrego Garcia’s case could threaten the constitutional rights of all U.S. citizens. “When you trample on the constitutional rights of one man, you threaten the constitutional rights of every American,” he said.
Despite backlash from some Democrats, Van Hollen stands by his advocacy for Abrego Garcia, insisting that standing for the constitution is crucial for any leader.
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