Van Hollen Critiques Rubio Amid Contentious Hearing on Deportations

Senator Chris Van Hollen sharply criticized Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a Senate Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, particularly over the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The exchange became contentious as Van Hollen likened Rubio’s policies to McCarthy-era tactics and confronted him over his dismissal of judicial authority in foreign policy. Rubio defended his actions and faced direct reproach from Van Hollen regarding his regret over voting for Rubio’s confirmation.

During a heated exchange at the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio found himself facing substantial criticism from Senate Democrats, particularly Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland. This appearance marked Rubio’s first since his confirmation, and instead of a warm welcome, he spent much of his time defending the administration’s foreign policy and budget priorities amid tough questioning.

Van Hollen was particularly vocal, directing sharp inquiries regarding Rubio’s rapport with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. He slammed the Trump administration’s handling of the deportation case involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a migrant who was mistakenly sent back to El Salvador from Maryland. Van Hollen chastised Rubio’s failure to ensure Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States after what he characterized as an unjust deportation.

Rubio responded, defending his record on deportations, specifically stating, “In the case of El Salvador, absolutely, absolutely, we deported gang members, gang members… that guy is a human trafficker, and that guy is a gang banger, and that and the evidence is going to be clear.” He alluded to Van Hollen’s previous meeting with Abrego Garcia while on a trip to El Salvador, escalating the exchange.

Van Hollen objected to Rubio’s comments, insisting that such unverified claims should be taken to court. “Mr. Chairman, he can’t make unsubstantiated comments like that,” he said. The tension mounted as Van Hollen emphasized that the previous drinks placed during their meeting did not correspond to any wrongdoing, countering Rubio’s narrative of the encounter.

Rubio persisted in his defense, challenging the authority of the judiciary in dictating foreign policy actions. “No judge and the judicial branch cannot tell me or the president how to conduct foreign policy,” he asserted. The debate reflected the friction between foreign policy and the legal standards governing deportations, leaving Rubio defiant.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch had to step in amid the exchange as it grew increasingly tense. Van Hollen drew historical parallels, likening Rubio’s approach to the deportation policy to the repressive tactics of the McCarthy-era witch hunts, wherein hysteria was stoked against dissenters and marginalized groups.

He concluded his questioning with a poignant reference to that period, quoting attorney Joseph Welch’s famous inquiry: “Have you no sense of decency?” Van Hollen expressed his personal disillusionment directly to Rubio, stating, “I regret voting for you as secretary of state.” This exchange underscores a wider rift not only over immigration policy but more fundamentally about the moral and ethical underpinnings that guide U.S. foreign relations.

In conclusion, the exchange on Wednesday highlighted significant tensions surrounding U.S. foreign policy and deportation practices. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s questions raised strong moral concerns regarding the administration’s actions, particularly the handling of the Abrego Garcia case. Conversely, Secretary Rubio defended the operational mandates of the State Department while resisting the demand for accountability, ultimately culminating in a spirited debate that reflects broader national disagreements.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com