In a surprising turn of events, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has vocally criticized Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen following the senator’s controversial visit to El Salvador. Van Hollen’s trip was notably marked by a meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deported illegal alien and alleged MS-13 gang member.
Rather than addressing pressing issues such as the fentanyl crisis affecting his constituents or advocating for victims of crime in the U.S., Van Hollen chose to engage with Garcia, who is currently incarcerated in the infamous CECOT prison. This decision has raised eyebrows, particularly given the senator’s previous claims about the dire conditions facing deported individuals.
El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, took to social media to mockingly highlight the absurdity of Van Hollen’s narrative. He shared images of the senator and Garcia, humorously noting the stark contrast between the senator’s assertions of “torture” and “death camps” and the reality of Garcia enjoying a relatively relaxed existence in El Salvador.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the “death camps” & “torture”, now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador! pic.twitter.com/r6VWc6Fjtn
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) April 18, 2025
Former President Trump also weighed in, criticizing Van Hollen’s actions on Truth Social, labeling the senator a “GRANDSTANDER” and highlighting his apparent desperation for media attention.
In a move that defies expectations, Van Hollen doubled down on his controversial visit by providing an enthusiastic update about his meeting with Garcia. He even made a point to contact Garcia’s wife, conveying messages of love and solidarity.
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
Miller did not hold back in his critique of Van Hollen’s priorities. He expressed disbelief over the senator’s choice to dedicate time and energy to an alleged gang member rather than addressing the real concerns of his constituents.
Stephen Miller:
“It is outrageous. Here’s an individual who has been deported to his home country of El Salvador and is documented as a member of MS-13, one of the most violent criminal organizations globally. This is who the Democrat Party chooses to support—while ignoring the families of American victims such as the Morin family, whose daughter Rachel was brutally murdered, or Kayla Hamilton, a young girl who suffered a horrific fate at the hands of an illegal alien.”Miller emphasized the lack of empathy shown by Van Hollen towards the victims of crime in his own state, asking how a senator could express such concern for a deported individual while neglecting those affected by violence and the fentanyl crisis.
“His heart is reserved for an illegal alien who’s part of a foreign terrorist organization. It’s appalling,” Miller concluded.
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