Saturday, March 29, 2025
In a striking interview marking his 100 days in office, President Donald Trump admitted he has the authority to reverse the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García but has chosen not to, citing alleged gang ties.
Ábrego García, a Maryland resident originally from El Salvador, was deported in March despite a 2019 court order protecting him from removal. Judges—including the US Supreme Court—later confirmed that the deportation was a legal error and ordered Trump’s administration to help facilitate his return.
Yet Trump has refused to act. Speaking with ABC News, he acknowledged, “I could” bring Ábrego García back but insisted he would not, arguing the man was “not innocent” and associating him with the MS-13 gang.
Trump repeated a claim that Ábrego García had gang tattoos—specifically MS-13 letters—on his knuckles. However, forensic image experts have disputed the authenticity of the digitally labeled photos shared by the White House. The M, S, 1, and 3 symbols, they noted, appear edited into the image.
Ábrego García denies any involvement with the gang, and legal advocates say the deportation violated established protections.
Pressed by journalist Terry Moran on whether ignoring a Supreme Court ruling sets a dangerous precedent, Trump pivoted, stating that Ábrego García had entered the US illegally in 2012. Although this is true, court records show he was granted a stay order in 2019.
Trump also referenced a past abuse allegation involving García’s wife. But earlier this month, she publicly recanted, saying she did not pursue legal action and pleaded for his return.
The interview came on the same day Trump celebrated 100 days into his second term, using the moment to double down on hardline immigration policies and economic strategies.
He defended his tariffs on imports as necessary for future prosperity, despite market instability. He also stood by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid criticism over use of Signal for sensitive military discussions, though he declined to give full backing, calling the line of questioning “stupid.”
