U.S. President Donald Trump met with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office to discuss various issues, including the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deported individual currently held in El Salvador. President Bukele stated that he would not return Abrego Garcia to the United States, despite a U.S. Supreme Court order directing the Trump administration to facilitate his return.
During the meeting, Bukele dismissed the idea of returning Abrego Garcia, labeling the question as "preposterous" and emphasizing that he does not have the authority to smuggle a terrorist into the U.S. He also expressed concerns about releasing criminals, arguing that it would undermine El Salvador’s efforts to improve its safety and reduce crime rates.
Trump administration officials indicated they would not comply with a court ruling that mandated their cooperation in Abrego Garcia's return. The administration has characterized Abrego Garcia as a gang member, although he has not been convicted of a crime in the U.S. A judge has called for daily updates from the Trump administration regarding their efforts to address the ruling.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the administration's stance, asserting that it is up to El Salvador to handle its citizens and that U.S. courts should not dictate foreign policy. Trump added that American media might be misinterpreting the situation and emphasized the administration's commitment to keeping criminals out of the country.
The meeting highlighted ongoing tensions between U.S. legal rulings and the foreign policy decisions made by the Trump administration, particularly regarding immigration and deportation policies.