(WASHINGTON) — President Donald Trump slammed a Democratic senator Friday for visiting Kilmar Abrego Garcia at the El Salvadorian priso and repeated the claims that his arrest was justified.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., shared a photo of the meeting Abrego Garcia Thursday night after spending hours for an audience with the man who the Justice Department said in court was wrongfully deported due to an “admnistrative error.”
“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,” Van Hollen said in the post.
Abrego Garcia’s wife was told that the meeting between Abrego Garcia and Van Hollen was set up by El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, a source close to the family told ABC News.
The source said Abrego Garcia and his wife, Jennifer Vasquez, were not able to speak, adding that the family does not know where Abrego Garcia is being held.
Trump lashed out at Von Hollen during a news conference in the Oval Office Friday callng him “fake.”
“They have no interest in that prisoner. That prisoner’s record is unbelievably bad,” he said.
The presidnt then read off a list of allegsations against the Abrego Garcia that have been made by the Administration but never made in court during the entire ordeal. Trump alleged the man was an MS-13 member and was sen wearing the gang’s cliothing and assoociatnig with other members.
“This comes out of the State Department and very legitimate sources. I mean…I’m just giving you what they handed to me, but this was supposed to be certified stuff,” Trump claimed.
Abreo Garcia’s family and attorneys have desputed the allegations.
In a statement from Vasquez provided by CASA, an immigration advocacy group that is representing the family, Abrego Garcia’s wife said her prayers have been answered.
“My children and my prayers have been answered,” Vasquez said. “The efforts of my family and community in fighting for justice are being heard, because I now know that my husband is alive. God is listening, and the community is standing strong.
“We still have so many questions, hopes, and fears,” Vasquez added. “I will continue praying and fighting for Kilmar’s return home.”
President Donald Trump, however, slammed the senator following the meeting, calling him a “GRANDSTANDER” in a scathing Truth Social post on Friday.
“Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland looked like a fool yesterday standing in El Salvador begging for attention from the Fake News Media, or anyone,” he said.
During an event at the Oval Office later Friday, Trump continued to criticize the Democrats and other supporters for sticking up for Abrego Garcia and repeated claims that the deportee is a criminal.
The meeting comes after Van Hollen shared a video on social media earlier on Thursday showing guards stopping him and others from entering CECOT, the prison where Abrego Garcia is being held.
The Supreme Court and a Maryland federal judge ordered that the U.S. government “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States after the Department of Justice said in court filings that the 29-year-old father was wrongfully deported because of an “administrative error.”
The Trump administration has alleged it cannot bring him back and claimed outside of court, with little evidence, that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang. However, the Justice Department has not charged Abrego Garcia with any gang-related crimes and his alleged MS-13 membership has been disputed in court.
Further details of the status of Abrego Garcia’s case have not been provided.
ABC News’ Katherine Faulders contributed to this report.
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