Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., denies ‘margarita-gate’ photo-op after El Salvador trip

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., has made headlines after returning from El Salvador and addressing what has now been coined as “margarita-gate.” In a press conference at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, Van Hollen vehemently denied accusations that he and deported illegal immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia were seen drinking margaritas in a viral photo posted by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.

Van Hollen clarified, “Neither of us touched the drinks that were in front of us. And if you want to play a little Sherlock Holmes, I’ll tell you how you can know that. … If you sip out of one of those glasses, some of whatever it was — salt or sugar — would disappear. You would see a gap. There’s no gap.” He insisted that the glasses were placed as a staged photo-op after the meeting had begun.

The senator accused President Bukele and the Trump administration of trying to distract from what he described as a constitutional crisis surrounding the deportation of Garcia. Van Hollen argued that Garcia’s removal was unlawful and violated his constitutional right to due process, despite reports of his alleged domestic abuse, gang ties, and suspected involvement in human trafficking.

Van Hollen’s trip to El Salvador came after the Salvadoran government initially denied him access to Garcia. After press coverage, officials arranged a meeting at a hotel, which was filmed. The senator revealed that the U.S. had committed $15 million to El Salvador to support detention operations, with over $4 million already paid. He pledged to oppose future appropriations for this purpose.

Critics, including Republicans and Trump allies, have questioned Van Hollen’s advocacy for Garcia given his alleged criminal record. The White House drew a contrast between Van Hollen’s meeting with Garcia and Trump’s meeting with the mother of a Maryland woman murdered by an illegal immigrant in 2023, declaring, “We are not the same.”

In response, Van Hollen expressed sympathy for the victims of crime but defended his actions as upholding the principles of the Constitution. He emphasized the importance of due process and ensuring that individuals are not arbitrarily detained without evidence of wrongdoing.

As the controversy continues to unfold, Van Hollen remains steadfast in his commitment to advocating for the rights of deported individuals like Kilmar Abrego Garcia while navigating the political landscape both domestically and abroad.