Van Hollen Critiques Rubio’s Deportation Policies in Heated Senate Hearing
In a contentious Senate Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Secretary of State Rubio faced criticism from Senator Van Hollen over issues related to deportations, particularly concerning Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Van Hollen challenged Rubio’s claims about deportations and criticized the administration’s foreign policies, drawing sharp historical parallels. Rubio defended his foreign diplomacy practices amid pushback from Van Hollen, who expressed regret for supporting Rubio’s confirmation.
In a heated exchange during the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced sharp criticism from Senate Democrats, particularly Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). This meeting marked Rubio’s first appearance before his former colleagues since his confirmation. Rather than receiving welcomed applause, he was quickly put on the defensive over various pressing issues, including the administration’s budget priorities, spending cuts, and the controversial reorganization of the State Department.
Senator Van Hollen did not hold back in scrutinizing Rubio’s stance on El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, and the Trump administration’s handling of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a migrant wrongly deported to El Salvador. Abrego Garcia, who had been living in Maryland before his deportation, has become a focal point in the ongoing debate about immigration policies and deportations. Van Hollen emphasized the administration’s failures in facilitating the safe return of Abrego Garcia.
Rubio defended his actions, stating, “In the case of El Salvador, absolutely, absolutely, we deported gang members,” implying that Abrego Garcia was linked to serious criminal activities. However, this assertion led to pushback from Van Hollen, who insisted that Rubio’s comments were unfounded. He remarked, “Mr. Chairman, he can’t make unsubstantiated comments like that,” urging for accountability and transparency in such serious matters.
Tensions escalated further as Van Hollen rebuffed Rubio’s attempts to evade direct scrutiny, emphasizing that he had not partaken in drinks during their prior meeting in El Salvador, where Rubio alleged Van Hollen mingled with undesirable individuals. To this, Rubio retorted that diplomacy operates outside judicial scrutiny, stating, “No judge can tell me how I have to outreach to a foreign partner.” This exchange highlighted the stark differences in their political philosophies, particularly regarding foreign policy execution.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch (R-Idaho) intervened as the discussion turned increasingly contentious. Van Hollen took the opportunity to draw parallels between Rubio’s policies and the historical McCarthy-era witch hunts. He lamented what he described as a “campaign of fear and repression” undermining America’s democratic values and concluded with a poignant inquiry: “Have you no sense of decency?” He expressed personal regret for voting in favor of Rubio’s confirmation, suggesting that Rubio’s actions reflected poorly on his integrity as Secretary of State.
The exchange between Secretary of State Rubio and Senator Van Hollen brought to light serious concerns regarding U.S. foreign policy, particularly in dealing with migrants and the impact of deportation policies. Van Hollen vehemently criticized the administration’s tactics, equating them to historical injustices, and ended with pointed questions about Rubio’s decency and integrity. This dialogue underscores the ongoing tensions in U.S. immigration policy and relationships with foreign leaders, especially in Central America.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
