Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI) has called on Congress to act against President Donald Trump for "defying" a Supreme Court ruling on Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant deported to El Salvador.
Breitbart reported that in early February 2025, the Supreme Court ordered the release of Garcia, a Beltsville, Maryland, resident deported to El Salvador, although due to an "administrative error.
The Trump administration has since pointed out that they have no power to repatriate Garcia, as he is a citizen of El Salvador imprisoned due to his affiliation with the terrorist gang MS-13
Garcia, a 29-year-old with a wife and three children, was deported under a Trump policy targeting alleged Venezuelan gang members. However, in 2019, an immigration judge had ruled Garcia could not be deported due to persecution risks in El Salvador.
Garcia has also been accused of being physically abusive towards his wife, but that hasn't stopped Democrats from propping him up to attack Trump's immigration reforms.
The Supreme Court’s February 2025 decision demanded Garcia’s release but lacked enforcement power. The Trump administration chose to ignore the ruling, as they do not have the power to return Garcia.
This didn't stop U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg from finding probable cause to hold the administration in criminal contempt for overstepping the court’s order.
Rep. Shri Thanedar took to X, declaring, “I’ve seen enough.” He argued Trump’s refusal to follow the Supreme Court was grounds for impeachment. Conservatives, however, view this as an overreach by activist judges infringing on the president’s foreign policy powers.
A Justice Department spokesman defended Trump, stating the president holds “exclusive prerogative” over foreign affairs.
The administration argued that judicial orders cannot override executive authority in international matters. This stance resonates with MAGA supporters who prioritize strong leadership over judicial mandates.
Garcia’s lawyers called his deportation a “Kafka-esque mistake,” noting he faced no charges and complied with immigration rules. The Supreme Court clarified that Trump’s team did not need to retrieve Garcia immediately from El Salvador.
The Supreme Court also criticized District Judge Paula Xinis for potentially overstepping by ordering Garcia’s return. Such an order could infringe on the executive’s foreign affairs authority, the court noted. The district court was directed to revise its ruling with deference to presidential powers.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt doubled down, claiming Garcia was a leader in the MS-13 gang, designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization. She cited “credible intelligence” linking him to human trafficking.
With Garcia's guilt all but settled, the issue comes down to a judge's order in 2019 that should never have been allowed to stand.
Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler told Fox News that Garcia is “1000%” an MS-13 member and a documented domestic abuser.
This aligns with the administration’s narrative of protecting Americans from dangerous criminals. Critics, however, question the evidence behind these accusations.
Trump's detractors have cited Garcia’s 2019 immigration, where he claimed persecution should he return to El Salvador. Of course, Garcia is going to be perfectly safe locked away in El Salvador's new prison designed to hold gang members.
The Supreme Court noted that the judge-imposed deadline for Garcia’s return had expired. This detail weakens the case for immediate action, supporting Trump’s position. Conservatives argue the administration is rightfully prioritizing national security over judicial overreach.
Thanedar’s impeachment call has galvanized conservative defenders of Trump. They see it as another attempt by Democrats to undermine a president fighting for American interests. The lack of Supreme Court enforcement power bolsters their argument that Trump is within his rights.