Statement from Congressman Dan Goldman on the Trump Administration’s Unconstitutional Deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia

"The spectacle in the Oval Office yesterday with Presidents Trump and Bukele was disgraceful: two self-proclaimed “strongmen” acting powerless to return an illegally deported man from an El Salvadorian torture prison — despite a unanimous ruling from the Supreme Court — and even threatening to send American citizens to those same prisons. 

 

"The rule of law, including due process, lies at the very heart of our constitutional republic. And this case demonstrates why: Mr. Abrego Garcia received no due process, which would have prevented his unlawful deportation. 

 

"Having failed to provide due process and admitting that Mr. Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported, President Trump is now flouting the Supreme Court’s directive to “facilitate” his return.  

 

"Donald Trump is either too impotent to return an innocent man from a country he is paying to hold him, or he is declaring war on the judiciary. Both are unacceptable. 

 

"Make no mistake: President Trump is at a fork in the road. He either chooses democracy or dictatorship. The American people are watching closely."