Abrego Garcia's deportation case exposes a rift among Democrats over how to take on Trump
WASHINGTON — A controversial deportation case has opened up a rift within the Democratic Party over how aggressively to go after President Donald Trump on an issue that has been one of his biggest political strengths.
WASHINGTON — A controversial deportation case has opened up a rift within the Democratic Party over how aggressively to go after President Donald Trump on an issue that has been one of his biggest political strengths.
Some members of the party are leaning heavily into Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia's deportation to El Salvador without due process, accusing Trump of defying a court order. But others, while still objecting to Trump's actions, have sought to shift the focus to economic concerns amid the whiplash of the president's tariff policies and persistently high prices.
Trump officials initially conceded that Abrego Garcia, who was subject to a withholding order preventing his expulsion to El Salvador and wasn’t convicted of a crime, was removed to his home country due to an “administrative error.” The administration has alleged he was a gang member and deserved deportation.
The Supreme Court didn’t accept that rationale, and last week it ordered the administration to “facilitate” his return to the U.S., which led a judge to demand daily updates on any progress.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., has been among the outspoken Democrats on Abrego Garcia's case, visiting El Salvador this week to push for his release. In addition, other congressional Democrats like Reps. Maxwell Frost of Florida, Yassamin Ansari of Arizona and Delia Ramirez of Illinois have offered to help Van Hollen or even travel to El Salvador themselves.
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