RSC Blasts Democrats "Criminal First" Agenda as Lawmakers Fly to El Salvador on the Taxpayer Dime to Retrieve Deported Illegal Criminals

WASHINGTON DC - In quite the display of misplaced priorities, House and Senate Democrats have announced plans to travel to El Salvador on a mission to return a deported international gang-affiliated member to American soil. While Maryland communities continue to mourn victims of illegal immigrant crime, including Rachel Morin, Democratic lawmakers appear more concerned with repatriating an illegal criminal alien than securing our nation's borders or supporting American victims of violent crime.

Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11), and RSC Members Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), and Rep. Andy Ogles (TN-05), blasted the Democrats' latest performative stunt overseas:

"Americans should not have their hard-earned tax dollars paying for an all expenses paid trip to import criminal illegal aliens back into our communities," said Chairman August Pfluger. "Members who are rushing to El Salvador to retrieve an international gang-affiliated member, yet show zero urgency in meeting with Rachel Morin's family or addressing the devastation from the Biden border crisis have their priorities completely misaligned. This isn't just failed leadership—it's a complete abandonment of their duty to protect American citizens. While Democrats are fighting on behalf of illegal criminals on your dime, Republicans will continue to fight for the safety of American citizens.”

"Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported and is back HOME in El Salvador where he belongs thanks to President Trump’s swift action to secure our border and make America safe again," said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. "Garcia is a member of MS-13, a transnational criminal gang known for some of the most brutal, violent crimes imaginable. MS-13 members have raped, tortured, and murdered Americans in cold blood. They’ve beheaded their victims, used machetes to carry out executions, and trafficked women and children across our border. Garcia invaded our country illegally, broke our laws, and according to his own wife, abused her. He’s exactly the kind of dangerous thug President Trump promised to remove, and he did. Yet while President Trump is protecting American lives, Democrats are working overtime to bring this animal back. They’re fighting harder for an MS-13 gang member than they ever have for the victims of his cartel’s violence. This isn’t compassion, it’s betrayal. This isn’t public service, and it’s dangerously close to treason."

“This should come as a surprise to absolutely no one,” said Rep. Diana Harshbarger. “At President Trump's joint address just weeks ago, Democrats refused to stand with multiple victims who lost their loved ones to violence at the hands of illegal aliens, and they’ve voted countless times against legislation that would protect American citizens from dangerous illegal aliens. If these Democrats are so desperate to save an MS-13 gang member from his home country of El Salvador, maybe the flights they're booking should be one-way.”

"America will NEVER cater to gangs or those who violate our laws—so why are Democrats rolling out the red carpet for them? The left-wing media and prominent Democrats are actively prioritizing gang members over the safety of American citizens. It’s disgraceful—but sadly, not surprising. Let’s be clear: every illegal immigrant needs to go home, and any gang-affiliated criminal should rot in a prison cell in El Salvador, where they belong,” said Rep. Andy Ogles.