Sen. Van Hollen Addresses ‘Margarita-Gate’ Following El Salvador Trip

Senator Chris Van Hollen addressed the controversy surrounding a deceptive photo from his El Salvador trip, asserting that neither he nor Kilmar Abrego Garcia consumed the drinks shown. He criticized the misleading portrayal, emphasized the lack of evidence linking Garcia to criminal activity, and revealed his opposition to U.S. funding supporting Garcia’s detention. Despite criticisms, Van Hollen maintains his actions align with constitutional due process advocacy.

Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, addressed the controversy surrounding his recent visit to El Salvador following a photo-op that has been termed “margarita-gate.” The photo, shared by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, showed Senator Van Hollen and deported immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia with drinks, which the senator clarified were not consumed. He stated, “Neither of us touched the drinks that were in front of us,” and pointed out that their lack of salt or sugar residue indicated they were untouched.

Van Hollen argued that the drinks were placed for staging purposes after their meeting commenced and criticized President Bukele for misleading the public. He further commented on the actions of the Trump administration regarding Garcia’s deportation, labeling it a distraction from a purported constitutional crisis in El Salvador. The senator remarked, “This is a lesson into the lengths that President Bukele will do to deceive people.”

The situation escalated as President Trump responded on social media, deriding Senator Van Hollen as a “GRANDSTANDER” while referring to the senator’s actions as seeking undue attention from the media. This incident is tied to Garcia’s legal struggles as he faces serious allegations including gang ties and domestic abuse, which the Trump administration has cited as justifications for his deportation.

Despite these claims, Van Hollen argued that there was no substantial evidence in court to support the allegations against Garcia. He cited judicial rulings asserting that the deportation lacked due process, emphasizing that the government had not linked Garcia to any criminal organizations. “The government in this case… is asserting a right to stash away residents of this country in foreign prisons without the semblance of due process,” Van Hollen stated.

During his trip, he encountered obstacles in accessing Garcia, only to finally secure a meeting after media scrutiny. Van Hollen disclosed that the U.S. has allocated $15 million to support detention operations in El Salvador, a funding plan he voiced opposition to. He firmly stated, “I won’t support the use of one penny of taxpayer dollars to keep Abrego Garcia illegally detained in El Salvador.”

Critics have challenged Van Hollen’s decision to advocate for an individual with alleged gang affiliations, especially in light of victims affected by illegal immigration. This critique intensified as the White House highlighted a contrasting stance with a graphic comparing Van Hollen and Trump’s meetings with victims’ families. In response to this juxtaposition, Van Hollen expressed empathy for the victims, insisting his actions stemmed from a commitment to constitutional rights.

He remarked, “The reason we have courts of law is to punish the guilty, but also to make sure that those who have not committed crimes are not found guilty and arbitrarily detained.”

Senator Chris Van Hollen has firmly addressed the viral “margarita-gate” controversy, asserting that the drinks shown in the photo were never consumed. He criticized both President Nayib Bukele for deception and the Trump administration for its handling of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s deportation, emphasizing the importance of due process. The senator expressed determination to challenge funding for Garcia’s detention and advocates for legal protections for those wrongly accused. Despite criticisms regarding his international advocacy, Van Hollen remains committed to constitutional principles.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com