Trump says he can bring deported Maryland man back — but won't
Kilmar Abrego Garcia (Photo: Facebook)
President Donald Trump admitted he has the power to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia — a Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador — back to the US, but says he won't do it, reports CNN.
In a recent interview with ABC News, President Trump acknowledged that he has the authority to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man wrongfully deported from the US, but stated he would not act on it.
"I could," Trump said, pointing to the phone on his desk, but added, "And if he were the gentleman that you say he is, I would do that. But he is not."
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court ruled the administration must "facilitate" his return.
A legal mistake turns political
Abrego Garcia was protected from deportation in 2019 due to threats from gangs in El Salvador. Still, US officials deported him in March 2025 by mistake.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia (Photo: Facebook)
Now, they claim he's tied to the MS-13 gang — based on tattoos and old police records — but experts say the claims aren't backed by real evidence, and viral photos of gang-related tattoos were photoshopped.
"He's never been charged with any crime," said his lawyer. "If they're so sure he's guilty, bring him back and put him on trial."
Even past allegations of domestic violence were dropped or withdrawn by his wife.
Senator Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to press for Garcia's return, calling the case a test of America's commitment to rule of law.
Despite his efforts, the Salvadoran president refused to release Garcia, and the legal battle continues.
Republican Senator John Kennedy also weighed in, calling the deportation a "screw-up" and saying, "The administration won't admit it, but this was a screw-up."
Despite a court order and public pressure, Trump refuses to act — and Abrego Garcia remains jailed in El Salvador, still waiting for justice.
