Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump held a meeting with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele at the White House on Monday, where Bukele announced that he would not be sending Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the United States despite a U.S. Supreme Court order. The court ruling stated that the Trump administration should facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return, but Bukele firmly stated that he does not have the power to do so.
During the meeting, Bukele expressed his disbelief at the suggestion of returning a terrorist to the United States, highlighting the strides El Salvador has made in reducing violence and crime in the country. Bukele emphasized that releasing criminals back into the country would undermine their progress and potentially revert El Salvador to its former status as the murder capital of the world.
President Trump, in response to a question about Abrego Garcia’s return, redirected the inquiry to Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondi clarified that Abrego Garcia, who has not been convicted of any crimes in the U.S., was deemed a member of the MS-13 gang and in the country illegally. However, the federal judge overseeing the case found no evidence supporting these claims.
Bondi explained that the Supreme Court ruling only requires the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return if El Salvador chooses to do so. She emphasized that the decision ultimately lies with El Salvador and its handling of its citizens, rejecting the notion that the U.S. would dictate such matters to another country.
White House advisor Stephen Miller also weighed in on the issue, noting that Abrego Garcia is a citizen of El Salvador, making it inappropriate for American media to dictate how another country should handle its citizens. The discussion surrounding Abrego Garcia’s potential return continues to unfold, with El Salvador’s stance clear on the matter.