In a recent interview, President Donald Trump clarified that he had no role in the decision to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father who was mistakenly deported, back to the United States. Trump stated that the decision was made solely by the U.S. Department of Justice, and he was not personally involved.
President Trump’s Statement
During an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump said, “That wasn’t my decision.” He explained that he believed the case was straightforward and that it should have been resolved easily. He also emphasized that he had not spoken to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele about Abrego Garcia’s return before the move happened on Friday. According to Trump, it was the Justice Department’s call to bring him back to face charges in the U.S.
Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old man originally from El Salvador, was deported in March 2025, despite being a legally protected resident of Maryland. The mistake led to his deportation to El Salvador without following proper procedures. His legal team accused the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the DOJ of failing to adhere to orders from both a federal judge and the U.S. Supreme Court, especially when it came to providing transparency about the situation.
The DOJ’s Decision and Legal Charges
Abrego Garcia was flown back to the U.S. on Friday after the DOJ acted on “new facts” that emerged after his deportation. He is facing federal charges for allegedly transporting undocumented migrants into the United States. His indictment, which came last month, claims that from 2016 to 2025, he helped smuggle undocumented individuals from countries like El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala into the U.S., passing through Mexico before entering Texas. The charges also include transporting thousands of undocumented migrants, some of whom were allegedly linked to the MS-13 gang.
Abrego Garcia’s case gained political attention after the Trump administration initially stated that there was little they could do to bring him back after his deportation. However, his return was prompted by new evidence that came to light, which led to the criminal indictment.
The Justice System’s Role
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed reporters on Friday, explaining why the indictment of Abrego Garcia happened now, nearly three years after his initial encounter with authorities. She stated that the charges were based on newly uncovered facts that emerged after his deportation. Bondi confirmed that once Abrego Garcia completes his sentence, he would be sent back to El Salvador, his home country.
Trump made it clear that his administration was not responsible for the actions taken by the DOJ in this case. The president stressed that the Justice Department was in charge of deciding the best course of action and that it was the department’s decision to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s case highlights the complexities surrounding immigration and deportation policies in the U.S. While President Trump denied involvement in his return to the U.S., the Justice Department’s actions were crucial in bringing him back to face federal charges. The case also underscores the challenges of navigating deportation, legal protections, and the political consequences of such decisions.
