President Donald Trump engaged in a heated exchange with CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins in the Oval Office regarding the deportation of El Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia. During a meeting with El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Trump referred to Collins as a “very low-rated anchor” and criticized CNN’s reporting. Collins asked Trump if he would be seeking Bukele’s assistance in bringing back Abrego Garcia, prompting Trump to direct Attorney General Pam Bondi to respond. Bondi explained that Abrego Garcia was ineligible for immigration relief in the US due to his ties to the MS-13 gang and that it was up to El Salvador to decide whether to return him.
White House advisor Stephen Miller joined the conversation, stating that it was arrogant for American media to suggest how another country should handle its citizens. He emphasized that Trump’s declaration of MS-13 as a foreign terrorist organization meant that Abrego Garcia could not seek immigration relief in the US. Although a court ordered the US government to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return, the Justice Department argued that federal courts did not have the authority to dictate foreign relations decisions. The Supreme Court upheld this decision, viewing it as a victory for Trump’s foreign policy authority.
Trump criticized CNN for their reporting on the issue, accusing them of being slanted and lacking credibility. He questioned why they couldn’t acknowledge the importance of keeping criminals out of the country and accused them of wanting foreign terrorists to remain in the US. Despite Trump saying he would comply with the Supreme Court decision regarding Abrego Garcia’s return, he continued to express frustration with Collins and CNN during the exchange. The administration framed the Supreme Court decision as a win for Trump and his policies.
In response to the situation, CNN did not provide an on-the-record comment to Fox News Digital. Justice Department lawyers argued in a court filing that they were not required to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return due to the court’s order potentially exceeding judicial authority. They claimed that the courts could not dictate how the Executive Branch handled foreign relations or engaged with other countries. Trump continued to criticize CNN for what he viewed as an anti-American bias, suggesting that the network was not reporting accurately on the issue of decreased illegal border crossings during his administration.
The exchange in the Oval Office highlighted tensions between the Trump administration and CNN over the handling of Abrego Garcia’s deportation. Trump and his advisors defended their decision-making regarding immigration policy and interactions with foreign countries. The situation also underscored broader concerns about the role of the courts in shaping foreign relations outcomes and the media’s portrayal of the administration’s actions. Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, the controversy surrounding Abrego Garcia’s deportation and potential return persisted, with Trump and CNN remaining at odds over the interpretation of events.
