‘How long do we have to answer?’ Trump lashes out at reporter over deportation of El Salvador man | WATCH
The Department of Justice has said that the court lacks jurisdiction over a matter of “international relations”. The Trump administration has claimed Garcia was a member of the violent MS-13 gang. Trending | World
US President Donald Trump lashed out at a journalist after she questioned him in the Oval Office on Monday (Apr 14) over the wrongful deportation of an El Salvadoran national.
During the White House visit of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, the CNN journalist, Kaitlan Collins, asked the president why his administration is refusing to comply with a Supreme Court order, which directed the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident. The Salvadoran national was mistakenly deported to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison last month.
Trump took several jabs at Collins, the network’s White House correspondent, calling her a “low-rated anchor”. He also slammed the credibility of CNN as he took questions from the reporters alongside Bukele.
Trump also tapped Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller to speak up, taking a shot at the network.
“Can you just also respond to that question because you know it’s asked by CNN and they always ask it with a slant because they’re totally slanted because they don’t know what’s happening,” Trump said. “That’s why nobody’s watching them.”
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“You said if the Supreme Court said someone needed to be returned, you’d abide by that,” Collins said.
“How long do we have to answer this question? 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? Why do you go over and over — and that’s why nobody watches you anymore. You have no credibility,” replied Trump, who was visibly irritated.
Also read | Trump administration erroneously deports man to El Salvador, says he was member of criminal gang
El Salvador man mistakenly deported
Last week, the Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return. Officials have said Garcia’s deportation was the result of an “administrative error”.
However, the Department of Justice has said that the court lacks jurisdiction over a matter of “international relations”. The Trump administration has claimed Garcia was a member of the violent MS-13 gang.
Watch | El Salvador's President Bukele says he doesn't have power to return Kilmar to US
During the White House meeting on Monday (Apr 14), Bukele told reporters he had no intention of intervening in Garcia’s case.
“How can I return him to the United States?” he said. “Like if I smuggle him into the United States?”
“Of course I’m not going to do it,” he added.
“The question is preposterous. We’re not very fond of releasing terrorists.”
(With inputs from agencies)
