GOP Rep. Who Threatened Anti-Trump Bishop Called Out…

GOP Rep. Who Threatened Anti-Trump Bishop Called Out for 'Juvenile' Prank Against Democrat Fighting for Abrego Garcia

A Republican lawmaker was criticized for a "juvenile" prank on Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen. (Credit: X)

A Republican representative's "juvenile" stunt against the Maryland Democrat who visited Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador last week drew backlash over the weekend.

Georgia Rep. Mike Collins, who notoriously threatened Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde with deportation after she asked President Donald Trump to "have mercy" on LGBTQ+ children and immigrants during his inaugural prayer in January, pranked Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen on Friday.

His comments came after Van Hollen's meeting last week with Garcia, the U.S. citizen who the Trump administration wrongly deported to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center last month.

Collins shared a photo of Van Hollen's updated office signage, which he changed to signify the Maryland Democrat represented El Salvador instead of his home state.

"Hey @ChrisVanHollen, I went ahead and changed your office plaque for you," Collins wrote in an X post accompanied by a photo of the plaque. His post had accumulated nearly 5 million views as of Monday.

Hey @ChrisVanHollen, I went ahead and changed your office plaque for you. pic.twitter.com/jNMKnbCWw3
— Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) April 18, 2025

Collins came under fire for his "juvenile" prank, with thousands of internet users, including fellow politicians, mocking his nonsensical joke.

"Grow up, Mike. You're a Rep for God's sake," X user @jwhisk55 wrote.

"I work with idiots," Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan stated.

"This would be stupid even if it did make sense, but it doesn't. Lol. You guys are the ones allied with the current government of El Salvador, not him," another X user shared.

"He's making sure an innocent man was alive, and this is how YOU spend YOUR time on the taxpayer's dime?" a fourth added.

He's making sure an innocent man was alive, and this is how YOU spend YOUR time on the taxpayer's dime?
— The Gnome 💙💛 (@42Gnome) April 19, 2025

"Such a juvenile and jingoistic response is so far below your office, Rep. Collins. You should be ashamed to post something like this," Phil Robertson, a human rights and labor activist wrote.

Such a juvenile and jingoistic response is so far below your office, Rep. Collins. You should be ashamed to post something like this.
— Phil Robertson (@Reaproy) April 19, 2025

Others called out Collins' hypocrisy. He previously stated his job was "to protect Israel 100%." In 2023, he also voted to censure Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff's for his investigation into Trump's ties to Russia during his first term.

At the time, he said he hoped the vote set "an example of what happens when you lie to the American people." Ironically, his reasoning then closely mirror Van Hollen's today.

"We will keep fighting for his constitutional rights, because if we deny the constitutional rights for one person, we threaten them for everybody," Van Hollen told Democracy Now!

"Did you change yours to Russia?" @EaglesNation023 questioned.