During a press briefing on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was accompanied by Patty Morin, who is the mother of Rachel Morin, a Maryland mother tragically murdered in 2023 by an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador.
As narratives circulate among Democratic leaders and their media allies claiming that an innocent “Maryland father” — who is, in fact, a member of the MS-13 gang, a designated foreign terrorist, and an undocumented immigrant — was unjustly deported by the Trump Administration, the White House hastily arranged a press briefing to urge the media towards more truthful reporting.
According to , Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen from Maryland even traveled to El Salvador for a photo opportunity aimed at advocating for the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the deported MS-13 gang member. Strikingly, he has remained silent regarding the brutal rape and murder of his constituent by an illegal immigrant.
Moreover, prominent left-leaning networks such as CNN and MSNBC chose not to broadcast the press briefing. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung criticized the networks for their “shameful” disregard for victims:
SHAMEFUL that @CNN and @MSNBC refuse to air Angel Mom Patty Morin recalling the harrowing tragedy of her daughter Rachel, killed by an illegal immigrant. pic.twitter.com/h5TQiY99cj
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) April 16, 2025
During the briefing, Patty Morin detailed the horrifying circumstances surrounding her daughter’s murder, many of which were disclosed to her only during the recent trial of Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, who was found guilty of first-degree murder.
“Detectives kept vital information confidential to maintain the integrity of the case,” Patty explained as she recounted the gruesome details she had learned. “On that fateful day, Rachel wasn’t expecting to die; she simply intended to run errands with her daughters afterward.” Tragically, the assailant “waited for her,” launching a brutal attack that left a trail of blood over 150 feet, culminating in a horrific assault where she was beaten and raped.
“Every inch of her body bore injuries—bruises, broken bones, contusions. She had a fractured rib, a fractured nose, and a shattered skull,” Patty stated sorrowfully. She described how the defendant, while in the courtroom, appeared to believe he would be exonerated, showing no remorse for his actions.
Patty’s emotional testimony drew parallels between the pain of losing a child and the visceral experience of having one’s heart torn out, pleading with the audience to empathize with her situation.
She concluded by criticizing Senator Van Hollen for neglecting to address her daughter’s brutal murder while instead using taxpayer resources to repatriate someone who is not an American citizen. “Why does this individual have more rights than I do, or my daughter, or my grandchildren?” she questioned. “This is incomprehensible to me.”
WATCH:
Morin: Rachel was a 37-year-old mother of five. Our family has walked that trail in Maryland for 25 years; it was supposed to be a safe space. On that day, she intended to run errands, not lose her life. The assailant lay in wait and viciously attacked her, dragging her along the path. The brutality of the assault is beyond comprehension.
He used rocks to repeatedly strike her head, shattering her skull. The autopsy revealed horrific injuries. Three-fourths of her brain hemorrhaged, and her face was unrecognizable. The sheer brutality of the crime is unfathomable.
She was not just a victim; she was a mother and a cherished member of our family. Why are we allowing violent criminals like this to remain in our country? We must protect our citizens and our families.
To have a senator from Maryland disregard my daughter’s murder while using taxpayer funds to support the return of an illegal immigrant is mind-boggling. Why does he prioritize the rights of a criminal over my family’s pain? This is a fundamental issue of national security and the safety of American families.
After her emotional address, Patty, visibly shaken, implored the media to “please tell the truth.” She emphasized, “This is not just about politics; it’s about protecting our children and ensuring national security.”
WATCH:
Watch the full press briefing here:
WATCH: White House Holds Emergency Press Conference with Patty Morin, Angel Mother of Rachel Morin, as Media and Democrats Fawn Over Violent El Salvadorian MS-13 Gangster Kilmar Abrego Garcia
