Senator Chris Van Hollen’s sudden journey to El Salvador to attempt to free deportee Kilmar Abrego Garcia might have been unlawful.
Van Hollen traveled to the Central American nation on Thursday to satisfy with Abrego Garcia and foyer for his return to the United Statesm even though he isn’t a citizen.
Authorized consultants and conservative commentators are more and more arguing Maryland Democrat might have violated The Logan Act, which prohibits unauthorized diplomacy with international nations.
The 1799 statute, named after Pennsylvania Senator George Logan, bans communication with international officers “with intent to affect the[ir] measures … in relation to any disputes or controversies with the US, or to defeat the measures of the US.”
The Logan Act was beforehand weaponized by Democrats to harass President Trump’s former Nationwide Safety advisor Michael Flynn.
Whereas punishment includes a high quality or imprisonement of as much as three years, no person has ever been convicted beneath the act, which is essentially seen as symbolic.
The American Accountability Basis despatched a letter to Senate management on Thursday highlighting the Trump administration’s proof that Kilmar Abrego Garcia has connections to the violent transnational gang MS-13, which is designated as a international terrorist group.
“Mr. Abrego-Garcia is actually an enemy combatant within the ongoing invasion of the US by transnational gangs,” AAF President Thomas Jones wrote to the heads of the Senate Ethics Committee and Majority Chief John Thune, in a letter obtained by The New York Post.
“Regardless of the overwhelming proof, Senator Van Hollen determined that he would use Senate funds to fly to El Salvador and advocate for an enemy of the US,” the letter stated.
I stated my important purpose of this journey was to satisfy with Kilmar. Tonight I had that probability. I’ve referred to as his spouse, Jennifer, to go alongside his message of affection. I look ahead to offering a full replace upon my return. pic.twitter.com/U9y2gZpxCb
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) April 18, 2025
The AAF can be calling on Thune to direct the Secretary of the Senate to disclaim funding for Chris Van Hollen’s journey to El Salvador and is urging the Senate Ethics Committee to analyze Van Hollen for violations of The Logan Act.
“Van Hollen was in El Salvador assembly with leaders of the Salvadorian authorities to aim to safe Mr. Garcia’s launch,” Jones wrote within the letter.
“It’s laborious to think about a extra hostile intrusion into U.S. international coverage than making an attempt to smuggle a international enemy combatant into the US.”
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, 29, was dwelling in Maryland earlier than being deported to El Salvador final month, certainly one of roughly 260 suspected gang members eliminated beneath President Trump’s invocation of the 18th-century Alien and Enemies Act.
Related deportation efforts have since been blocked by Democratic judges and even the Supreme Courtroom.
On Friday, Home Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer denied requests by Home Democrats additionally to go to El Salvador to satisfy with Abrego Garcia.
In case you additionally want to meet with him, you may spend your individual cash,” he wrote in a letter to Democratic Reps. Robert Garcia of California and Maxwell Alejandro Frost of Florida.
”However I cannot approve a single dime of taxpayer funds to be used on the tour you’ve gotten requested.“
