Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes – "Trump Doesn’t Want You To Hear This"
Release Date: April 23, 2025
Hosts: Adrian & Chris Newman
In this compelling episode of Bulwark Takes, host Adrian engages in an in-depth conversation with Chris Newman, the attorney representing the family of Kilmar Abrego Garcia—a Maryland man erroneously deported to El Salvador by the U.S. government. The discussion delves into critical issues surrounding immigration policy, wrongful detention, and the broader implications of governmental actions under the Trump administration.
1. Introduction to the Case and Chris Newman's Involvement
The episode opens with Adrian introducing Chris Newman, highlighting his role as the general counsel of the National Day Labor Organizing Network and his legal representation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s family.
Key Points:
- Long-standing Relationship: Adrian and Chris share a history of advocacy in the immigration space, having collaborated to challenge the Obama administration’s policies.
- Case Background: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a father and spouse of U.S. citizens, was wrongfully detained and deported to El Salvador—a case that exemplifies systemic failures in immigration enforcement.
Notable Quote:
“This case is about a lot of things. Constitutional crisis, a man wrongfully detained, sent to a black site in a foreign country.” — Chris Newman (00:53)
2. Unraveling the Wrongful Deportation
Chris Newman elaborates on how the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia came to light, emphasizing the role of investigative journalism and policy failures.
Key Points:
- Breaking the Story: Nick Miroff of The Atlantic initially exposed Kilmar's wrongful arrest, prompting immediate legal action from Chris.
- Policy Critique: Newman criticizes the Obama-era Secure Communities program, attributing it as the catalyst for the wrongful deportation. He draws parallels between U.S. immigration policies and those of El Salvador under President Bukele, indicating a drift towards authoritarian practices.
Notable Quote:
“President Trump is trying to model U.S. immigration law after what President Bukele has done in El Salvador, having a state of exception where people are arrested first and questions are asked later.” — Chris Newman (02:45)
3. The Congressional Delegation to El Salvador
Adrian shifts the conversation to the congressional delegation led by Senator Van Hollen, which included members like Yasmine Ansari, Robert Garcia, Maxwell Frost, and Maxine Dexter. Chris explains his involvement and the motivations behind the trip.
Key Points:
- Immediate Response: Upon learning of Kilmar’s situation, Chris mobilized resources, including a GoFundMe campaign that raised over $200,000 to support Kilmar’s family.
- Personal Commitment: Driven by a promise to his partner, Marjorie Garcia, Chris coordinated with CASA Maryland and leveraged his network to join the congressional delegation.
- Safety Concerns: Acknowledging the risks, Chris ensured he was accompanied by allies to safeguard his mission in El Salvador.
Notable Quote:
“I hadn't talked to my wife or my partner. Someone needs to get down to El Salvador immediately, tell them that I'm willing to do that.” — Chris Newman (03:54)
4. Experiences During the Trip
Chris recounts the harrowing experiences during the delegation’s visit to El Salvador, highlighting the lack of U.S. governmental support and the personal toll it took on him.
Key Points:
- Uncertain Support: Congressman Jim McGovern advised Chris that in El Salvador, the U.S. government would not intervene if something went wrong.
- Detention Incident: Chris and Senator Van Hollen were detained by Salvadoran authorities, a moment that tested Chris’s resilience and empathy towards his clients.
- Emotional Impact: This incident marked the first time Chris personally experienced fear akin to that of his clients, reinforcing his commitment to the case.
Notable Quote:
“I had to get back home to Marjorie and my son Camilo. And I wasn't sure exactly how that was going to happen.” — Chris Newman (09:25)
5. Broader Implications and Other Cases
The discussion broadens to encompass other cases, notably that of Andre Jose Romero Hernandez, a 19-year-old Venezuelan makeup artist, emphasizing the systemic nature of these injustices.
Key Points:
- Media and Public Attention: Chris advocates for maintaining public scrutiny to prevent further injustices, aligning with the sentiment that media attention is crucial for safeguarding human rights.
- Widening the Scope: The case of Kilmar is not isolated; there are tens of thousands in similar predicaments, highlighting a pervasive state of exception in El Salvador.
- Gang Connection: Chris connects the exportation of MS-13 from the U.S. to El Salvador with the broader destabilization of the region, critiquing policies that inadvertently fuel such dynamics.
Notable Quote:
“We are now in this moment where basically the fate of the legal system of the United States and El Salvador are linked.” — Chris Newman (11:11)
6. Future Advocacy and Call to Action
Chris emphasizes the importance of continued advocacy and the need for bipartisan support to address these immigration issues.
Key Points:
- State of Human Rights: Highlighting the lack of due process and the existence of black sites, Chris underscores the urgent need for intervention.
- Collaborative Efforts: He invites members of Congress and the public to engage in efforts to support affected individuals and to foster better understanding between the U.S. and El Salvador.
- Civil Rights Under Threat: The episode frames Kilmar and Andre as civil rights leaders whose cases are emblematic of broader threats to American and international human rights.
Notable Quote:
“Worldwide, the people in El Salvador who are fighting against the Bukele regime, the United States has a lot to learn from them in terms of their courage and their fortitude in fighting against sort of a laboratory of fascism which is now metastasizing in the United States.” — Chris Newman (15:13)
7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Adrian wraps up the episode by acknowledging Chris’s bravery and urging listeners to support ongoing efforts to rectify these injustices.
Key Points:
- Acknowledgment of Efforts: Adrian commends Chris for his unwavering dedication and courage in the face of systemic challenges.
- Call to Support: Listeners are encouraged to stay informed, support advocacy initiatives, and engage with policymakers to drive meaningful change.
Overall Themes:
- Wrongful Detention and Deportation: The episode highlights the personal and systemic failures leading to the wrongful deportation of U.S. citizens.
- Policy Critique: A strong critique of past and current U.S. immigration policies, drawing parallels to authoritarian practices abroad.
- Human Rights Advocacy: Emphasis on the importance of media attention and public advocacy in protecting human rights and ensuring due process.
- Bipartisan Efforts: The need for collaborative, bipartisan approaches to address and rectify immigration injustices.
- Personal Sacrifice: Chris Newman’s personal commitment underscores the human element behind legal and policy battles.
Final Quote:
“Everyone in the country should be invested in the outcome of this case because all of our rights are on the line.” — Chris Newman (15:13)
This episode of Bulwark Takes serves as a crucial exposé on the intersection of immigration policy, human rights, and governmental accountability, urging listeners to engage actively in safeguarding democratic principles and individual liberties.