When it comes to congressional Democrats caravaning to visit illegal immigrant Kilmar Abrego-Garcia in an El Salvador prison, Republicans have a message: The more the merrier!
Four House Democrats just made the trip: Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), and Maxine E. Dexter (D-Ore.). On Monday, the National Republican Congressional Committee said it’s willing to chip in to send even more.
“The NRCC is offering to pick up the tab for any House Democrat eager to hang out with their new poster child in El Salvador, a confirmed illegal immigrant, MS-13 gang member, and alleged domestic abuser,” the organization said in a press release.
“We just have one condition: Livestream the whole thing. Snap plenty of selfies with your MS-13 buddies — the same violent criminals you’re trying to reimport into American neighborhoods to rape, kill, and terrorize law-abiding citizens.”
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) made a high-profile visit late last week featuring photographs of the progressive senator and Abrego-Garcia appearing to enjoy cocktails and a chat.
Van Hollen claimed afterward the photo, which went viral, was a setup by the El Salvadoran government. However, he also told CNN that during his entire conversation, he never asked Abrego-Garcia about the Trump administration’s claim he was a member of MS-13.
“I didn’t ask him that because I know what his answer is,” Van Hollen said.
In New Hampshire, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen posted a message on social media supporting Van Hollen and Abrego-Garcia.
“Chris Van Hollen did what the Trump Admin wouldn’t. He didn’t give up until the world saw Kilmar is safe. I call on the Trump Admin to comply with the Supreme Court’s 9-0 ruling, facilitate Mr. Abrego Garcia’s release and give him the due process he’s entitled to,” Shaheen said.
Shaheen recently announced she’s retiring after this term.
The other three members of New Hampshire’s all-Democratic delegation have to face the voters again. They declined to respond to requests for comment about Abrego Garcia and whether they want him returned to the U.S.
Pappas’ stance is of particular note. He’s the likely Democratic nominee to fill the vacancy being left by Shaheen’s retirement. In the past, he’s voted against some immigration enforcement measures like funding a border security wall. But more recently, he’s shifted right, voting for the Laken Riley Act.
For the moment, he’s keeping his views on Abrego Garcia to himself. For example, Pappas appeared on the leftwing MeidasTouch podcast on Thursday, but did not mention the case.
Republicans say they hope Democrats like Pappas will follow their colleagues to El Salvador, and bring their iPhones with them.
“If out-of-touch House Democrats are so desperate to cozy up to violent gang members, the least they can do is let Americans watch the show,” said NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella.
“We’ll pay for the plane tickets. They just can’t forget to smile for the camera while they sell out their constituents.”
