Photo credit: www.foxnews.com

Trump Critiques CNN During Oval Office Meeting with El Salvador’s President

During a recent meeting in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump made headlines by directing pointed remarks at CNN and its anchor, Kaitlan Collins, while discussing the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadoran national who had been wrongfully deported. Collins attempted to interject with a question, but Trump dismissed her by referring to her as the “very low-rated anchor,” to which she responded by ignoring the comment and asking about the possibility of returning Garcia, who had been mistakenly deported.

Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to answer Collins, who explained that Garcia was in the U.S. illegally and had been previously classified by immigration courts as a member of the notorious MS-13 gang. Bondi indicated that it would be up to El Salvador to decide whether they wanted to accept him back.

The president further claimed that CNN’s questioning included a biased perspective, stating, “They don’t know what’s happening, that’s why nobody is watching them.” This reflects Trump’s ongoing criticism of media outlets he perceives as unsupportive of his administration.

Responses from White House Officials

White House advisor Stephen Miller also weighed in on the discussion, asserting that it was presumptuous for the American media to imply that the U.S. government could dictate how another country handles its citizens. He noted that since Trump classified MS-13 as a foreign terrorist organization, Garcia would be ineligible for any form of immigration relief in the United States.

Despite a court ruling requiring the U.S. government to take steps to facilitate Garcia’s return, the Department of Justice argued that federal courts lack the jurisdiction to direct the executive branch on foreign relations. The court’s order was interpreted as merely instructing the government to remove any domestic barriers to Garcia’s reintegration into the U.S. system.

In a ruling on the matter, the Supreme Court supported U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis’ decision, contending that it properly mandated the government to aid in Garcia’s release from custody in El Salvador and ensure fair treatment consistent with standard procedures. However, administration officials characterized the decision as upholding Trump’s authority in foreign policy matters.

Miller Championing Deportation Decisions

Miller reiterated the administration’s stance, asserting, “We won a case 9-0.” He criticized CNN’s framing of the situation, claiming the outlet wanted to portray the administration in a negative light, specifically in terms of its approach to immigration and national security.

Collins responded by noting Trump’s willingness to follow the Supreme Court’s ruling, prompting the president to express frustration with her questioning. “Why don’t you just say, ‘Isn’t it wonderful that we’re keeping criminals out of our country?’ Why can’t you just say that?” Trump remarked, emphasizing his dissatisfaction with how the media portrays his administration’s actions.

Earlier in the meeting with Bukele, Trump expanded on his critiques of CNN, stating, “I think they hate our country,” and accused the network of neglecting positive developments such as the reduction of illegal border crossings during his administration.

Legal Perspectives on Deportation Errors

In a recent development, Justice Department attorneys maintained that they were not bound to comply with a judge’s directive to facilitate Garcia’s return to the United States. They argued that the ruling overstepped judicial authority regarding foreign relations, positing that courts cannot direct how the Executive Branch should engage with foreign nations.

This situation underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding immigration policy and the authority of the executive branch versus the judicial system in handling such matters. The dialogue between Trump, his administration, and the media highlights the contentious relationship that persists as policy discussions unfold amidst media scrutiny.

Source
www.foxnews.com