Ted Cruz Blasts Democrats Over Support for Alleged MS-13 Gang Member, Cites ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has ignited a fiery debate by criticizing Democratic lawmakers for their advocacy on behalf of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member and Salvadoran national. Cruz accused the Democrats of prioritizing the rights of illegal immigrants over U.S. citizens, attributing their actions to an extreme case of "Trump derangement syndrome."

Cruz’s remarks follow a trip by several Democratic lawmakers, including Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, to El Salvador. Their mission was to advocate for Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States after he was deported to his home country. The timing of Cruz’s comments coincided with the arrest of Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka, who, alongside members of Congress, was apprehended for allegedly storming an ICE detention facility.

"It is a very bizarre political decision that the Democrats have made," Cruz asserted. "They have decided that they are the party of illegal immigrants and the party of gang members." He further argued that the vast majority of Americans do not want more gang members and violent criminals in the country. Cruz believes that the Democrats’ opposition to Donald Trump has led them to champion policies that favor illegal immigrants and gang members.

Cruz specifically referenced Van Hollen’s trip to El Salvador, stating, "We’re seeing Democrat senators, Democrat house members flying down to El Salvador and putting all their political capital behind the position that we need more illegal immigrants in America, we need more criminals in America, and we need more MS-13 gang members in America." He added, "I think Trump derangement syndrome is a real mental illness. I think they hate Donald Trump so much that it has driven them to crazy town."

The senator questioned why Democrats would prioritize supporting violent criminal illegal aliens and MS-13 gang members. He contrasted their actions with what he believes are the interests of the American people.

While some Democrats maintain that Abrego Garcia is an innocent man wrongly deported, the Trump administration presented evidence suggesting his affiliation with MS-13. According to police and court records obtained by Fox News Digital, Abrego Garcia was arrested in Hyattsville, Maryland, in October 2019. At that time, the Prince Georges County Police Gang Unit identified him as an MS-13 gang member.

A federal immigration court in Baltimore ruled that Abrego Garcia was ineligible for release, as he had failed to demonstrate that his release would not pose a danger to others, given the evidence of his MS-13 membership. DHS sources further revealed that Abrego Garcia had been pulled over in Tennessee while driving an SUV owned by Jose Ramon Hernandez Reyes, an illegal alien who confessed to human smuggling across the U.S.-Mexico border in 2020.

Fox News Digital also reviewed court documents filed by Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, alleging that he had subjected her to serious physical and verbal abuse, and mentally abused her children.

In April, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s decision ordering the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States. The court mandated that the government ensure his case be handled as it would have been had he not been improperly deported to El Salvador. The Trump administration agreed to remove administrative barriers preventing Abrego Garcia’s return, but former Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that his return was contingent upon El Salvador’s decision.

When questioned about the domestic violence allegations against Abrego Garcia, Senator Van Hollen defended his actions, stating, "What I said here was these issues need to be litigated in the courts, okay? What Donald Trump needs to do is put up or shut up in the courts, and he’s just not done that." He emphasized the importance of adhering to the Constitution and upholding the due process rights of individuals residing in America.

The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over immigration policy and the rights of undocumented individuals. Cruz’s remarks have intensified the partisan divide, with Republicans criticizing Democrats for allegedly prioritizing the interests of illegal immigrants and gang members over the safety and security of American citizens. Democrats, on the other hand, argue that all individuals are entitled to due process and a fair hearing, regardless of their immigration status.

The controversy surrounding Abrego Garcia highlights the complexities of immigration law and the challenges of balancing national security concerns with the principles of justice and human rights. As the debate continues, it is likely to remain a contentious issue in American politics.