President Trump got into a heated back-and-forth in the Oval Office on Monday with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. She kept asking questions about a wrongful deportation case involving a man from El Salvador, and Trump wasn’t pleased.
The Supreme Court had ruled that the man should be returned to the United States for now, but instead of addressing the issue directly, Trump turned his attention to insulting Collins and attacking her network.
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Trump mocks Kaitlan Collins in front of reporters
Throughout the exchange, Trump repeatedly took aim at Collins. He mocked her by calling her a “low-rated anchor” and questioned CNN’s credibility while speaking to the press with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele by his side.
Collins demands answers about a controversial deportation
Collins asked Trump to respond to the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who had been sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador called CECOT. The prison has a harsh reputation.
The deportation was carried out under the old Alien Enemies Act, a law dating back to the 18th century.
The administration says Abrego Garcia was in a gang
The Trump administration claimed Abrego Garcia was involved with the MS-13 gang. His family denied that.
Despite this, the Supreme Court ordered the White House to help arrange his release from prison on April 10.
Trump avoids the question by bringing up CNN’s ratings
When Collins first brought up the issue, Trump didn’t answer directly. He instead pointed out CNN’s low ratings and redirected the question to Attorney General Pam Bondi, asking her to speak about the deportation instead.
Stephen Miller steps in and attacks the media
Trump then asked his Homeland Security Adviser, Stephen Miller, to weigh in.
“Can you just also respond to that question because you know it’s asked by CNN and they always ask it with a slant because they’re totally slanted because they don’t know what’s happening,” Trump told Miller.
“That’s why nobody’s watching them.”
Miller, who also serves as deputy chief of staff, said Abrego Garcia was originally from El Salvador, suspected of gang involvement, and was in the country unlawfully. He criticized the media for expecting the United States to interfere with how El Salvador manages its citizens.
Collins keeps pressing despite Trump’s hostility
Even with the insults, Collins kept going. She mentioned that Trump had said a day earlier he would follow the Supreme Court’s ruling.
She wanted to know why Abrego Garcia was still detained.
Trump lashes out when the questions continue
Trump got visibly frustrated.
“How long do we have to answer this question? Why don’t you just say, ‘Isn’t it wonderful that we’re keeping criminals out of our country?’ Why can’t you just say that? Why do you go over and over — and that’s why nobody watches you anymore. You have no credibility.”
Officials give conflicting explanations for what happened
There seemed to be confusion within the administration. A government lawyer had claimed in March that the deportation happened because of an “administrative error.”
Miller disagreed, saying the attorney had simply made a mistake and was removed from their role.
The courts had previously blocked his removal
Back in 2019, an immigration judge had already blocked the government from deporting Abrego Garcia while his asylum request was still under review.
He had argued that returning to El Salvador would put him at risk of gang violence. He’s also a husband and father.
The Supreme Court gave no timeline for his return
The Supreme Court supported the idea of bringing Abrego Garcia back to the United States but didn’t give a deadline. Instead, they passed the responsibility back to the lower court.
In a recent filing, the Trump administration argued that there was no urgent need to ask El Salvador to release him.