OPINION: Maryland Sen. Van Hollen’s Disrespect for Americans
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen demonstrated poor judgement by using taxpayer money to travel to El Salvador where he advocated for Kilmar Abrego Garcia who was deported for suspected connections to the MS-13 gang. The behavior in question represents both a foolish spectacle and a serious breach of constitutional standards that insults Americans who follow the law. Van Hollen’s actions cannot be justified from my position as a supporter of President Trump and the MAGA movement.
The facts are clear: In March 2025 Salvadoran citizen Abrego Garcia was deported because authorities suspected his involvement with the transnational and violent MS-13 gang known for committing numerous crimes in America. Court documents and law enforcement reports from 2019 provided evidence of his gang affiliation through a confidential informant despite the Trump administration’s admission of an “administrative error” in his deportation. Van Hollen risked his constituents’ safety while performing political theatrics abroad as he pushed for Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States. Pandering to the radical left while ignoring American taxpayers demonstrates poor leadership.
Van Hollen inappropriately spent public money to support an illegal alien above Maryland citizens’ interests. Families in Baltimore face escalating violence from gang activity including MS-13 while Van Hollen uses resources to defend someone without legal immigration rights. The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt correctly identified the waste of taxpayer money when she pointed out that Van Hollen’s trip supports an alleged “MS-13 terrorist” instead of helping victims like Rachel Morin who lost her life to gang violence in 2023. Where was Van Hollen’s outrage then? His silence on Morin’s tragedy speaks volumes.
Van Hollen’s activities violate constitutional principles by threatening the integrity of legal systems. The Supreme Court may have ordered the government to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return, but President Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele have made it clear: Every sovereign country maintains the authority to control its territorial boundaries. Congress has no constitutional power to interfere with foreign detention systems or order the release of non-citizens. Van Hollen’s trip demonstrates executive overreach which Democrats ironically criticize when Trump takes decisive measures to protect our borders. Van Hollen disrespects the separation of powers and disregards American public opinion which undermines the MAGA principles of law enforcement and national sovereignty.
The MAGA movement prioritizes America first by refusing to support criminals who endanger our communities. The El Salvador trip undertaken by Van Hollen outright attacks the values of citizens who stand for secure borders and fiscal responsibility. Taxpayer funds should not support deporting gang members when politicians need to protect Maryland families by upholding Trump’s deportation rules and stopping MS-13 from terrorizing streets. This November, voters must remember: The leadership of Van Hollen reflects a preference for illegal aliens rather than American citizens. Washington requires both swamp draining and common sense restoration. Just my opion.
JV (Founder JV Political)
