Photo credit: thehill.com

Democratic Divide Over Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Case

A noticeable rift is emerging within the Democratic Party concerning the handling of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s case. Some party members are questioning whether engaging with this contentious issue is an effective strategy, especially as Republicans ramp up their critique of Democrats.

A group of four progressive House Democrats made their way to El Salvador on Monday to advocate for Garcia’s return to the United States. This follows a visit by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) last week, who met with Garcia, who was deported by mistake. The legislators are framing their efforts as a stand for fundamental constitutional rights.

Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) emphasized the importance of due process, stating, “This is about due process, it’s about ensuring that we follow the laws of this country,” after his return from El Salvador.

While there is widespread condemnation among Democrats regarding the Trump administration’s refusal to comply with a Supreme Court ruling requiring the facilitation of Abrego Garcia’s return, some members perceive the administration’s concentration on this issue as a strategic diversion from pressing matters, including economic challenges such as a declining stock market, rising food prices, and confusion surrounding Trump’s tariff policies.

Despite acknowledging the deportation as an “administrative error” in court, White House officials have intensified their rhetoric against Garcia, branding him a “terrorist” and claiming association with the MS-13 gang.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) pointed out that the administration’s focus might be an intentional choice to dominate media narratives. “They’re doing it because they want to distract people from the fact that our economy is in a tailspin thanks to them… and the market is down,” she articulated during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday.

This situation raises internal questions within the Democratic Party regarding the prudence of centering the narrative around Abrego Garcia’s case. Critics argue that his alleged gang ties, based on a solitary confidential tip and despite an immigration judge previously granting him protection from deportation due to a lack of a criminal record, do not resonate with the immediate concerns of citizens facing economic hardships.

“When people can’t afford basic groceries, it seems perplexing to fly out to meet someone alleged to be involved in gang activity,” one Democratic operative remarked. “Republicans are presenting us with issues like DOGE and the turmoil surrounding Trump’s economic policies. While we can multitask, it’s vital that we do not lose sight of the real-world repercussions affecting everyday Americans.”

Nonetheless, the Democrats who traveled to El Salvador are staunchly defending their commitment to multiple issues. Frost stated, “We have to be able to talk about and message and do things on multiple issues at the same time,” indicating that advocating for Garcia’s return would not preclude addressing domestic economic concerns upon return to their districts.

As this debate unfolds, Republicans are leveraging the situation to challenge Democrats on their proactive stance. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) even recently offered to cover costs for House Democrats traveling to El Salvador, provided they broadcast their visit. “If out-of-touch House Democrats are so keen to associate with alleged violent gang members, they should let Americans see it all,” NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella declared.

The past week has been tumultuous for the Democratic Party since Van Hollen’s visit generated significant media attention. While there is no doubt about Van Hollen’s intentions, questions surround whether he is the most appropriate figure for this high-profile engagement, especially considering that no border-state Democrats, who are usually more attuned to immigration issues, have taken a front-line role in addressing this case.

An operative expressed concern that Van Hollen’s travel on taxpayer dollars to meet Garcia, while neglecting to connect with families of gang victims in his home state, presents a problematic dynamic for the party. “It’s notable that Democrats with direct experience in immigration issues are not leading this charge,” they noted.

Prominent figures within the party, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, have echoed sentiments about the possible distractions surrounding the Abrego Garcia situation amid pressing economic issues. Yet, some Democrats argue that taking a stand on such matters is crucial to keep party activists engaged as they shift toward the 2026 election cycle. With some voters feeling disenchanted with the Democratic response to major issues, maintaining enthusiasm among party supporters is deemed necessary.

“It is early in the cycle, and diehard party supporters are watching intently. We need to give them something to rally behind,” a second Democratic operative stated. “They are the audience still engaged, and we must provide them with substantive narratives to maintain their interest.”

Source
thehill.com