El Salvador Ignores Trump: Report

Diplomatic Efforts to Free Kilmar Abrego Garcia

On Wednesday, April 30, El Salvador reportedly rejected a diplomatic request from the Donald Trump administration regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a migrant who was mistakenly deported to a megaprison in El Salvador, as reported by The New York Times. 
The White House sent a "diplomatic note" inquiring about Garcia's release, but El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele rejected the request, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Here's what's happening. 
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Uncertainty Over the White House's Intent

While El Salvador's rejection of the request was clear, it remained uncertain whether the White House's appeal was a genuine attempt to secure Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release or merely a strategy to give the impression of complying with a Supreme Court ruling. 
Some legal experts questioned whether the diplomatic note was part of a broader effort by the administration to create the appearance of compliance with the court's order, which mandates that Garcia be returned.

The Supreme Court's Role and Legal Context

The case revolves around the Supreme Court's ruling, which requires the Donald Trump administration to "facilitate" Kilmar Abrego Garcia's return. 
Garcia, who had been living in Maryland for more than a decade, was mistakenly deported to El Salvador despite a court order that prohibited his expulsion. The administration continues to claim that Garcia is connected to the MS-13 gang, though his legal team disputes these allegations, and he has no criminal convictions tied to gang activity. 
The administration faces a court-ordered deadline to update the court on steps taken to return Garcia by next week.

Trump's Defiance of the Supreme Court Ruling

President Donald Trump expressed defiance regarding the Supreme Court's ruling, asserting that the ruling does not require him to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia. 
In a Tuesday, April 29, interview, Trump continued to refer to a Photoshopped image that showed a hand tattoo reading "MS-13" on Garcia, despite the fact that the image was not genuine. He reiterated his belief that Garcia is a criminal and stated that the decision was not his to make.

Bukele's Response and White House Statement

In a statement following the diplomatic efforts, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that President Nayib Bukele had made it clear in the Oval Office that El Salvador would not facilitate Kilmar Abrego Garcia's return to the United States. 
Leavitt referred to Garcia as a "designated foreign terrorist" and a member of the MS-13 gang, reiterating the administration's position on Garcia's deportation.