A top White House official warned that those opposing Donald Trump's immigration crackdowns—including the mistaken deportation of a Maryland man—could be considered as "aiding and abetting terrorists" under federal law.
The controversy erupted after Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident, was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March 2025, according to Forbes. The Department of Homeland Security initially cited a "clerical error" for the removal, sparking outrage from lawmakers and immigrant rights groups.
Garcia's legal team maintains he has no ties to criminal organizations, but the Trump administration has labeled him a gang member, pointing to alleged—but unproven—affiliations with MS-13. The issue has become a flashpoint in Trump's broader push to reinstate hardline immigration policies in his second term, including sweeping deportations and mass detentions.
In an interview with Newsmax on Wednesday night, White House Senior Director for Counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka said Garcia's removal was justified as a national security measure. Gorka claimed Garcia was a confirmed MS-13 member, despite the absence of any charges or convictions to that effect.
He further accused public officials and activists pushing for Garcia's return of "technically aiding and abetting criminals and terrorists," suggesting their actions may violate federal laws that prohibit supporting criminal or terrorist entities. Gorka escalated the rhetoric by framing the debate as a matter of patriotism, saying, "Do you love America, or do you hate America?"
The legal implications of Gorka's comments are unclear, as deportation opposition is protected under First Amendment rights to free speech and advocacy.
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