Senator Holds Stunning Press Brief on Abrego Garcia Meeting

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast Summary

Episode: Senator Holds Stunning Press Brief on Abrego Garcia Meeting
Release Date: April 18, 2025
Host: MeidasTouch Network (Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas)

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1. Introduction to the Press Brief

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers delve into a significant political event: Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen's recent press conference concerning his meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador. The episode dissects the implications of this meeting, allegations against El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, and the broader ramifications for due process and constitutional rights in the United States.

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2. Background on Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Detention

Senator Van Hollen addressed the controversial detention of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, highlighting the questionable circumstances surrounding his apprehension and detainment.

• Abrego Garcia's Claims:
  "He said he felt very sad about being in a prison because he had not committed any crimes. When I asked him what was the one thing he would ask for in addition to his freedom, he said he wanted to talk to his wife Jennifer."
  (02:45)

• Detention Conditions:
  "They didn't know for sure where they were going. They landed in El Salvador and he was taken to Sicot prison. He was placed in a cell with, if I recall correctly, and don't hold me to it, of about 25 other prisoners at Sicot."
  (03:33)

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3. Allegations Against President Nayib Bukele

Senator Van Hollen accused El Salvador's President Bukele of orchestrating deceptive tactics to disguise the harsh reality of Abrego Garcia's detention.

• Margarita Staging Incident:
  "When I first sat down with Kilmar, we just had glasses of water on the table. One of the government people came over and deposited two other glasses on the table with ice... neither of us touched the drinks."
  (11:59)

Van Hollen dubbed this incident "margarita gate," suggesting it was an attempt to create a misleading image of Abrego Garcia's conditions.

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4. Due Process and Constitutional Rights

A central theme of the press conference was the importance of due process and the constitutional rights of individuals residing in the U.S.

• Protecting Rights for All:
  "If you deny the constitutional rights of one man, you threaten the constitutional rights and due process for everyone else in America."
  (07:40)

• Administrative Errors:
  "An administrative error that has resulted in him being abducted off the streets of Maryland and put into prison in El Salvador that has deprived him of his personal freedom and liberty."
  (08:31)

Van Hollen emphasized that the mishandling of Abrego Garcia's case sets a dangerous precedent for the treatment of all migrants in the U.S.

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5. Political Reactions and Controversies

The episode highlights the backlash Senator Van Hollen faced, particularly from Republican circles, regarding his focus on Abrego Garcia amidst other national issues.

• Criticism from Republicans:
  "Do you encourage other Democrats to fly down El Salvador to meet with this illegal alien who's an accused?"
  (14:53)

• Van Hollen's Response:
  "My heart goes out to the family of Rachel Warren... We have three children. I cannot imagine losing a child... my heart breaks for everybody in Maryland or America who has lost a loved one to violence."
  (16:30)

Van Hollen linked his advocacy for Abrego Garcia to a broader commitment to justice and due process, distancing his actions from unrelated violent incidents.

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6. Media Portrayal and Propaganda Concerns

The episode discusses how media outlets, particularly those aligned with right-wing perspectives, are portraying the events surrounding Abrego Garcia to influence public opinion.

• Media Laundering of Propaganda:
  "The White House and the President have been lying about this case from the beginning... the courts have said... it's about adhering to the Constitution to the right of due process."
  (11:59)

• Oval Office Interaction:
  Photos and clips emerged showing Van Hollen with Abrego Garcia, which critics argue are staged to downplay the gravity of the situation. Van Hollen countered by questioning the journalists' integrity, highlighting the manipulation involved.

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7. Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Senator Van Hollen's press conference shed light on significant issues regarding the treatment of migrants, the importance of upholding constitutional rights, and the potential misuse of media for political propaganda. The MeidasTouch Podcast effectively breaks down these complex topics, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the political dynamics at play and the ongoing struggle to maintain justice and due process within the U.S. legal framework.

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Notable Quotes:

• Senator Chris Van Hollen on Due Process:
  "Put up in court or shut up."
  (09:53)

• On the Importance of Constitutional Rights:
  "If you deny the constitutional rights of one man, you threaten the constitutional rights and due process for everyone else in America."
  (07:40)

• On Media Manipulation:
  "President Bukele... trying to mock a Brago Garcia and Democratic Senator Van Hollen by making it seem like they were drinking margaritas when they were not."
  (11:59)

---

This episode serves as a critical examination of the intersection between political maneuvering, media influence, and the fundamental principles of justice within the United States.

Transcript

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[News Anchor]

Wow. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen just held a powerful press conference on his meeting with Abrego Garcia in El Salvador. He stated how the leader of El Salvador, the authoritarian, naive Bukele, tried to arrange the meeting in a way to make it look like they were drinking margaritas together to create this fake set, to create an illusion in the world that Abrego Garcia was not being tortured in Seekot, the extermination camp in El Salvador, which is where Abrego Garcia was being held. We also found out that Abrego Garcia was now moved to another detention center in El Salvador. Still has bad conditions. Not quite as bad as Seekot. Let's go to the press conference. I want to show you what went down when Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen talked about the fake staging of the meeting that was arranged by El Salvador's authoritarian leader, naive Bukit Kelly. Let's watch this.

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

The setting he was in, I should also just say, you know, I mentioned the fake margarita scandal. They actually wanted to have the meeting by the side of the pool, right in the hotel. Just right. I mean, this is a guy who's been in seacot. This is a guy who's been detained. They want to create this appearance that life was just lovely for Kilmar, which of course is a big fat line.

[News Anchor]

And Democratic Senator Van Hollen talked about what Abrego Garcia told him, how Abrego Garcia was sad that he was in a prison because he said he did not commit any crimes. Let's play it.

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

He said he felt very sad about Being in a prison because he had not committed any crimes. When I asked him what was the one thing he would ask for in addition to his freedom, he said he wanted to talk to his wife Jennifer. I told him I would work very hard to make that happen. I told him that in addition to his family that all of you who are here today were fighting to bring him home.

[News Anchor]

Senator van Hollen talks about the conditions that Abrego Garcia was putting in in a cell at sicot with 25 other individuals. Play this clip.

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

They didn't know for sure where they were going. They landed in El Salvador and he was taken to Sicot prison. He was placed in a cell with, if I recall correctly, and don't hold me to it, of about 25 other prisoners at Sicot. He said he was not afraid of the other prisoners in his immediate CE but that he was traumatized by being at seacot and fearful of many of the prisoners in other cell blocks who called out to him and taunted him in various ways.

[News Anchor]

Abrego Garcia asked to make a phone call so he could speak to his wife Jennifer and his family, but he was told no. Here's senator van Hollen telling us that. Let's play it.

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

At that time he told me that he was taken to Baltimore first. I assume that was the Baltimore detention center. He asked to make a phone call from there to let people know what had happened to him, but he was denied that opportunity. He said he was later taken with some others from Baltimore to a detention center in Texas and some point thereafter. I don't know whether it was period of hours or days. He was handcuffed, shackled and put on a plane along with some others where they couldn't see out of the windows. There was no way to see where they were going in the plane.

[News Anchor]

Senator van Hollen then talks about how he told Abrego about the message from his wife. Played the clip When I told him.

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

That his wife and family sent their love and were fighting for Kilmar return home every day. He said that he was worried about all of you. That was his response. How are you dealing with this horrible ordeal and nightmare for the family? He said that thinking of you, members of his family is what gave him the strength to persevere, to keep going day to day, even under these awful circumstances. He spoke several times about your 5 year old son who has autism. 5 year old son who was in the car in Maryland when Kilmar was pulled over by U. S. Government agents and handcuffed.

[News Anchor]

There's more From Senator Van Hollen here.

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

My principal mission was to meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia. I told his wife Jennifer and his family that I would do everything in my power to make that happen. And last night at about 6:40pm El Salvador time, 8:45pm here on the East Coast, I called Jennifer to tell her that I had met with Kilmar. And I told her what he said to me, which was first and foremost that he missed her and his family. And as he said that, you could see it here go down his sheep.

[News Anchor]

Senator Van Holland makes it clear that, yes, this is about Abrago, but this is more than a brago. This is about due process. And if the government is going to do this to Abrego other migrants. And then Donald Trump says, I'm coming for the, quote, homegrowns. Donald Trump will do this to his political opponents. That's the Trump regime's plan. Let's play it.

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

And it's also important that people understand this case is not just about one man. It's about protecting the constitutional rights of everybody who resides in the United States of America. If you deny the constitutional rights of one man, you threaten the constitutional rights and due process for everyone else in America.

[News Anchor]

Yes. The fourth Senator Van Hollen just again talks about what this situation's about. He talks about how an administrative error by the DOJ led to an individual being kidnapped, sent to an extermination camp, being abducted from the streets of Maryland, and now the Trump regime refuses to return Abrego. Play this clip.

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

An administrative error that has resulted in him being abducted off the streets of Maryland and put into prison in El Salvador that has deprived him of his personal freedom and liberty. But rather than fix this grievous error that they agreed had been made in court, what did the Trump administration do? They. They upbraided and fired. Fired the lawyer who told the truth to the court. That's what they did. They didn't fix the error. They fired the lawyer who told the truth.

[News Anchor]

Notice what he said at the end there that doesn't get enough attention. The DOJ lawyer who admitted to the court, fulfilling his duty of candor to the court, that it was a mistake to send Abrego to the detention center in El Salvador to the extermination camp. The Trump regime fired that DOJ official right there. Then you have Democratic Senator Van Holland say, look, put up or shut up with your evidence. Look, the bottom line is you're in whether you're a good guy, a bad guy, whatever, in the United States. There's due process. You prove your case, you put up or shut up, you put up your evidence, and then there are consequences. But we live in a law and order evidence based system.

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

Play this clip where the case first appeared. This is a quote from her opinion. Defendants and in this case, this is the Trump administration she's referring to. Have offered no evidence, have offered no evidence linking abrego Garcia to Ms. 13 or any terrorist activity and vague allegations of gang association alone do not supersede the express protections offered under the ina, unquote. She emphasized this point, and I'm quoting. No evidence before the court connects abrego Garcia to Ms. 13 or any other criminal organization, unquote. In other words, put up in court or shut up.

[News Anchor]

Senator Van Holland talks about his meeting with the Vice president of El Salvador where he was asking the vice president of El Salvador were crimes committed. Why are you holding him here? To which the vice president of El Salvador said the reason is, is because Trump is paying us to keep him here. Play it. What is, what did Abrego Garcia say.

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

That the officials in El Salvador told him about why he was sent to that prison and how long he would be there. They haven't told him anything about why he was sent or how long he would be there. They didn't tell him anything about that. In fact, I asked the vice president exactly that question. You know, why is he here? Is he violating any laws in El Salvador? Does he. Do you have any proof that he's committed a crime? No. Why, why are you. Why is he here? Because the Trump administration is paying us.

[News Anchor]

Did he say what he heard from other migrants? Here's more from Senator Van Hollen about the staging of the scene in El Salvador that the El Salvador authoritarian leader Naive Bukele, created to try to mock a Brago Garcia and Democratic Senator Van Hollen by making it seem like they were drinking margaritas when they were not.

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

Play this clip about what I would call margarita gate. I don't know if you guys have been following this, but President Bukele, you know, after I met with Kilmar, did this tweet showing us at a table with these two glasses. So here's what happened. When I first sat down with Kilmar, we just had glasses of water on the table, I think maybe some coffee. And as we were talking, one of the government people came over and deposited two other glasses on the table with ice. And I don't know if it was salt or sugar around the top, but they look like margaritas. And if you look at the one they put in front of Kilmar, it actually had a little less liquid than the one in me, in front of me to try to make it look, I assume, like he drank out of it. Let me just be very clear. Neither of us touched the drinks that were in front of us. And if you want to play a little Sherlock Holmes, I'll tell you how you can know that. So if you look at the video or the picture I sent out from the beginning of our meeting, you'll see there are no glasses on the table. So you'll see in later videos they are on the table, but they made a little mistake. For some people are very careful, right? If you sip out of one of those glasses, some of whatever it was, salt or sugar, would disappear. You would see a gap. There's no gap. Nobody drank any margaritas or sugar water or whatever it is. But this is a lesson into the lengths that President Bukele will do to deceive people about what's going on. And it also shows the lengths that the Trump administration and the President will go to, because when he was asked about a reporter about this, he just went along for the ride. So the White House and the President have been lying about this case from the beginning. They've been trying to change the subject from the beginning, as I said. And the courts have said from the Supreme Court to the fourth Circuit to the district court. What this is about is adhering to the Constitution to the right of due process. And that's why we say bring Kilmar home so he can be afforded his rights under the Constitution. That's what this is about.

[News Anchor]

And then you can see how that propaganda gets laundered into the White House from the right wing propagandist media, the other state regime media that Trump has in the Oval Office that launder the lies. Watch what happened in the Oval Office earlier today.

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

Play.

[News Anchor]

Let's play it.

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

Sir. Go ahead, please.

[News Anchor]

Photos have emerged of Senator Van Hollen sipping what appears to be margaritas with Abrego Garcia down in El Salvador. Do you encourage other Democrats to fly down El Salvador to meet with this illegal alien who's an accused?

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

I like this guy. See, now this is. This is the kind of a reporter we like. There aren't enough of them. We got to get some more of them.

[News Anchor]

Senator Van Hollen was asked questions by the media about Rachel Morin, who was killed by an illegal migrant, having nothing to do at all with Abrego Garcia. But the Trump regime wants to use that incident and then they have Morin's mom show up, basically using her as a prop to attack Abrego Garcia and all other migrants. Just so you know, the data, Americans engage in far more violent crime than migrants do, if you look at the actual data. And again, the Rachel Morin situation is tragic. The killer was prosecuted, sent to jail, is, you know, is getting the maximum penalties that exist. And as Senator Van Hollen says, he goes, well, look, I'm glad there's accountability there. We live in a system of law and order, so there should be justice for all. Play this clip.

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

Right here and then I'll go right there.

[News Anchor]

The response from Republicans to your visit.

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

Is that you care more to meet with Abrango Garcia than you do with Rachel Warren, who is the mother of a woman, a Maryland woman who died in your state.

[News Anchor]

What is your response to that criticism specifically?

[Senator Chris Van Hollen]

Well, my response is that my heart goes out to the family of Rachel Warren. As I said at the time, my heart breaks for what happened to them. That should not happen to anyone family in America. And I am very glad that a court of law convicted her killer and is going to punish her killer in a court of law. The reason we have courts of law are to punish the guilty, but also to make sure that those who have not committed crimes are not found guilty and arbitrarily detained. In other words, everybody has due process. So the effort by the Trump administration to try to conflate these two issues goes to the heart of what I was just talking about, their effort to change the subject. But again, to the, to the Morin family, I, you know, we have three children. I cannot imagine losing a child in the heartbreak that caused and it should not happen. And my heart breaks for everybody in Maryland or America who is lost a loved one to violence, regardless of the perpetrator.

[News Anchor]

One of the things I've learned recently, too, about Rachel Morin's mother who's been out there, there's actually a lawsuit that's been filed by the children of Rachel Morin saying that the their grandma, Rachel Morin's mother, took all of the GoFundMe money from the kids. So there's that lawsuit that I believe is still pending. And here is Senator Van Hollen. You see him right here again at the press conference. One of the things that was mentioned is he's no longer. Abrego's no longer at Z cot. He's been moved to another detention center. Detention center where conditions are better, but still has no communication with the outside world. This was naive. Bukele's post. Now that he's been confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador's custody. And then Naive also posted Naive Bu Kelly posted Kilmar Abrego Garcia miraculously risen from the death camps and torture, now sipping margaritas with Senator Van Holland in the tropical paradise of El Salvador. You now know the propaganda being used by Bukele and the Trump regime, both fascist authoritarians behaving in this despicable way. Heroic, heroic stuff by Senator Van Holland and a great press conference. Wow. Wow, wow. Hit subscribe let's get to 5 million subscribers. Can't get enough Midas? Check out the Midas plus substack for ad Free articles, reports, podcasts, daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski, and more. Sign up for free [e-mail].