DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene confronted Rep. Dan Goldman during a tense House Homeland Security Committee hearing over his advocacy for a deported illegal alien with alleged MS-13 ties.
At a Glance
- Secretary Noem accused Goldman of prioritizing a “terrorist” over his constituents during a House Homeland Security Committee meeting
- The dispute centered on Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deported illegal alien with alleged MS-13 gang connections
- Goldman cited a Supreme Court order mandating Garcia’s return to the U.S. for due process
- Rep. Greene reinforced Noem’s position by listing multiple authorities who confirmed Garcia’s MS-13 affiliation
- Since Trump took office, over 120 individuals on the terrorist watch list and more than 800 Tren de Aragua gang members have been deported
Heated Exchange Over Alleged MS-13 Member
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem engaged in a contentious exchange with Representative Dan Goldman during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing regarding the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal alien with suspected ties to the notorious MS-13 gang. Goldman questioned Noem about DHS’s deportation of Abrego Garcia, citing a Supreme Court order that allegedly mandates his return to the United States to receive due process.
Goldman pressed Noem with direct questioning about compliance with the court order, asking, “What steps have you taken to return Mr. Abrego Garcia to allow him to get due process?” The Secretary’s response reflected her frustration with Goldman’s advocacy for an individual she considers dangerous to American communities. Abrego Garcia has been connected to human smuggling operations and stands accused of having direct affiliations with MS-13, one of the most violent transnational criminal organizations operating in the United States.
Noem Questions Goldman’s Priorities
Secretary Noem did not hold back in her criticism of Goldman, suggesting his advocacy for Abrego Garcia represented misplaced priorities. “It’s got to be extremely discouraging to be one of your constituents. To see you fight for a terrorist like this and not fight for them is extremely alarming to me, and I’m sure it is to them as well,” Noem stated during the hearing. This comment highlighted the administration’s position that public safety and national security concerns should take precedence over accommodations for individuals with criminal backgrounds.
The hearing also revealed that Senator Chris Van Hollen had visited Abrego Garcia in El Salvador following his deportation, further fueling Republican concerns about Democratic lawmakers’ involvement with individuals linked to criminal organizations. This development added another layer to the partisan divide over immigration enforcement priorities and the handling of foreign nationals with alleged terrorist ties.
Greene Reinforces MS-13 Allegations
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene joined the fray, backing Noem’s position with what she described as overwhelming evidence of Abrego Garcia’s MS-13 membership. Greene methodically listed the multiple authorities who had independently confirmed his gang affiliation, creating a compelling case against Goldman’s advocacy.
“A Maryland County Police Gang Unit agreed that he is MS-13, a reliable confidential informant agreed that he is MS-13, ICE officers agreed that he is MS-13, an immigration judge agreed that he is MS-13, an appellate board agreed that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, your Maryland man, is MS-13,” Greene stated.
Greene’s comprehensive list underscored the administration’s confidence in the deportation decision, suggesting that multiple independent evaluations had reached the same conclusion about Abrego Garcia’s criminal affiliations. This coordinated assessment from various law enforcement entities serves as the foundation for the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation policy targeting individuals deemed threats to public safety.
Trump Administration’s Deportation Efforts
The hearing highlighted broader aspects of the Trump administration’s deportation strategy, including cooperation with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele to transfer suspected gang members to the Terrorist Confinement Center (CECOT) in Tecoluca. Noem discussed visiting this facility and engaging with Bukele about accepting more high-profile offenders from the United States, reflecting an international approach to addressing gang violence that spans borders.
Since President Trump returned to office, deportation efforts have intensified, with over 120 individuals on the terrorist watch list and more than 800 members of the Tren de Aragua gang removed from the country. Noem defended these actions against criticism about due process, emphasizing that the administration conducts thorough investigations before taking enforcement action. The White House continues to fight legal battles over using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act for deportations, with a case currently pending before the Supreme Court.
