Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) faced mounting scrutiny over the weekend as he appeared on multiple national news programs defending his recent visit to El Salvador, where he met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia—an illegal immigrant deported from the U.S. and alleged by the Trump administration to have MS-13 ties and a history of domestic abuse.
Van Hollen’s trip, which he now admits was funded by American taxpayers, sparked widespread criticism, particularly after he confirmed during an appearance on Fox News Sunday that the excursion was “an officially cleared Congressional trip.”
When pressed further by anchor Shannon Bream about whether taxpayer dollars were used, Van Hollen responded, “Yes, like every other trip.”
🚨 @ChrisVanHollen confirms taxpayers paid for him to fly to El Salvador and sip margaritas with a deported illegal immigrant MS-13 gang member pic.twitter.com/xByXzeRoYi
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 20, 2025
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The Maryland senator has defended his decision to meet with Abrego Garcia, whose deportation by the Trump administration followed allegations of gang affiliation and accusations of domestic violence made by his wife.
Despite these red flags and the broader concern surrounding MS-13 criminal activity, Van Hollen has continued to argue that Garcia was denied due process and is being held in a Salvadoran prison without legal justification.
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Van Hollen appeared on multiple networks over the Easter weekend to defend his actions and criticize President Donald Trump.
During an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Van Hollen was asked about the relevance of his visit in the context of the murder of Rachel Morin, a Maryland woman whose suspected killer is believed to have entered the country illegally.
“I’m not sure why Abrego Garcia’s rights should be denied based on an awful murder that he had absolutely nothing to do with,” Van Hollen said, appearing to downplay the growing outrage among his constituents over illegal immigration and public safety.
.@ChrisVanHollen proves he completely misses the point in his response to Patty Morin, whose daughter was murdered by an illegal immigrant in Maryland: “I’m not sure why Abrego Garcia’s rights should be denied based on an awful murder that he had absolutely nothing to do with.” pic.twitter.com/gIvrBcAIcO
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 20, 2025
Van Hollen’s Sunday morning appearances were not without controversy.
On CNN’s State of the Union, anchor Dana Bash questioned whether the senator had directly asked Garcia if he was a member of MS-13—a claim that has been publicly raised by the Trump administration, which cited court findings and alleged evidence including tattoos and affiliations.
“Did you ask him point blank?” Bash inquired.
“No,” Van Hollen responded, before accusing President Trump of trying to “change the subject” by pointing to Garcia’s alleged gang affiliation.
Bash pressed again, but Van Hollen declined to discuss further details, stating, “I’m not going to get into the details.”
🚨Van Hollen REFUSES to say Abrego-Garcia isn’t in MS13:
Bash: Can you say with absolute certainty that [Abrego-Garcia] is not, nor has he ever been a member of MS13?
Van Hollen: Accuses Trump of trying to “change the subject” — as he then changes the subject: “So I’m not going… pic.twitter.com/HcA8mMXOT6
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) April 20, 2025
The exchange highlighted a broader reluctance by Van Hollen to engage with specifics regarding Garcia’s alleged criminal connections.
The Biden-Harris administration had previously paused deportations for individuals lacking serious criminal convictions, but Garcia was deported under President Trump’s renewed enforcement of immigration law.
In another interview on ABC, Van Hollen referred to Abrego Garcia as an “American,” before quickly correcting himself and claiming Garcia had been “absconded from America.”
.@ChrisVanHollen calls Kilmar Abrego Garcia — an illegal immigrant gang member and CITIZEN OF EL SALVADOR — an “American” pic.twitter.com/5qBYSDsVAP
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 20, 2025
Garcia is a citizen of El Salvador, and there is no legal basis for referring to him as an American.
Garcia’s deportation became a national issue after reports that he was imprisoned in El Salvador’s CECOT mega-prison, a facility known for housing gang members.
Van Hollen traveled to the country to advocate for Garcia’s release but was informed that Garcia had been transferred to another location before the meeting could take place.
The Pentagon and other Trump administration officials have maintained that Garcia posed a credible threat and was linked to MS-13.
The case has reignited debate over the administration’s aggressive stance on illegal immigration and deportation of individuals suspected of gang affiliation.
Van Hollen’s use of taxpayer resources for the trip, combined with his reluctance to address questions about Garcia’s background, has drawn criticism from conservative lawmakers and voters in Maryland.
Despite repeated questions about the trip’s purpose and funding, no clear congressional authorization has yet been disclosed to the public.
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