House Dems spent more than $7K in campaign funds on El Salvador trips for Kilmar Abrego Garcia — despite some claiming they paid ‘out of their own pocket’
Share this @internewscast.com

WASHINGTON — This spring, House Democrats spent over $7,000 in campaign funds on airfare to El Salvador and a reservation at an upscale Hilton hotel, although some stated publicly that their trips to see alleged foreign gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia were personally funded.

Reps. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), and Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.) landed in San Salvador on April 21 with the intent to “pressure the Trump Administration” to release Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 member, as per a collaborative statement.

Garcia’s congressional campaign recorded an expenditure of $1,981.99 on April 17 with Taca International Airlines, a Salvadoran airline, and an additional $501.53 for “event space rental” at the Hilton San Salvador on April 29, as documented in Federal Election Commission (FEC) records.

Frost’s campaign shelled out $1,362.49 for travel on Avianca, a Latin American airline that bears El Salvador’s flag, and $967.43 for travel on Volaris, a low-cost Mexican airline — both of which were recorded May 8, a week or so after their trip.

Ansari’s campaign reported the highest total spending on travel with $2,616.45 forked over to Avianca Airlines in four separate tranches between April 17 and 21. Dexter’s campaign paid $1,315.44 for travel on Taca Airlines April 18.

None of the lawmakers listed any lodging expenses in El Salvador, according to a Post review of the FEC filings, and all except for Garcia claimed they personally footed the bill for the travel costs.

“The congresswoman paid for her own flights and hotel with her own money, and the campaign paid for a campaign volunteer with campaign funds,” noted an Ansari rep, clarifying that no Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA) funds were used.

Ansari’s office previously told a Phoenix-based NBC affiliate that the congresswoman “paid for the trip out of her own pocket.”

A Garcia spokesperson previously confirmed to The Post that the congressman “paid for the trip through his personal campaign funds.”

A rep for Dexter had said in April their member self-funded the flight.

Frost’s reps told Politico no MRA funds, which are provided by US taxpayers, were used.

Travel expenses exceeding $1,000 are considered in-kind contributions to campaigns when recorded by a candidate, campaign staffer or volunteer, according to the FEC.

Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) made a separate visit to El Salvador to try to meet with Abrego Garcia, a former Maryland resident who resided in his district, but only spent $291.25 in campaign funds for the jaunt.

“Congressman Ivey did not use MRA or taxpayer funds for his trip to El Salvador. In accordance with House Administration and FEC guidelines, his principal campaign committee covered the travel costs associated with fulfilling his official Congressional oversight responsibilities,” said Ivey’s communications director Ramón Korionoff in a statement.

“All expenses were properly reported to the FEC in full compliance with federal disclosure requirements. Congressman Ivey believes it’s essential to understand the real-world impact of U.S. immigration and security policies firsthand, and he remains committed to conducting his work with transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.”

Notably, a review of filings for Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) — the only Democrat to be granted a meeting with Abrego Garcia in what he later claimed was a staged photo-op by Salvadoran officials for the purpose of embarrassing him — do not show any campaign spending for similar travel or lodging in mid-April.

The main campaign arm for Senate Republicans later mocked the political trips by offering “one-way” tickets for more Dems to visit El Salvador.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) reportedly dissuaded the Dems from taking the trip — despite praising Dexter in a subsequent political livestream as well as Van Hollen, whose “great leadership” the Brooklynite celebrated for having made the first visit to CECOT.

Asked in an April 29 press conference whether he agreed with Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) that it was a “mistake rallying around” Abrego Garcia, Jeffries deflected the question.

CECOT, the notorious Salvadoran megaprison, took in 260 suspected gang members that the Trump administration deported on March 15, including Abrego Garcia who had entered the US illegally in 2011.

Maryland police arrested him along with some MS-13 members at a Home Depot parking lot in March 2019. Abrego Garcia was sporting a Chicago Bulls hat and hoodie that “represents they are a member in good standing” of the gang, a confidential informant told authorities.

The informant, in a report filed with the Prince George’s County Police Department, said Abrego Garcia was an “active member” of MS-13, held the low rank of “Chequeo” and went by the street name “Chele.”

Later in 2019, an immigration judge granted Abrego Garcia a “withholding of removal” order preventing his immediate deportation to El Salvador and allowing for removal to other nations — but he was released without the first Trump administration appealing the decision.

Garcia was later moved from CECOT to a lower-security facility elsewhere in El Salvador.

In June, the Trump administration facilitated the alleged gangbanger’s return to the US — where he was hit with human trafficking charges.

Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, and defense attorneys have denied Abrego Garcia’s purported MS-13 affiliation.

Reps for Garcia, Frost and Dexter didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
FBI investigates college swatting hoaxes terrorizing campuses across US

FBI Probes Fake Emergency Calls Disrupting US College Campuses

College campuses nationwide experienced turmoil this week due to false active shooter…
Glen Powell embodies 'Chad Powers' in a new trailer released by Hulu

Glen Powell presents ‘Chad Powers’ in Hulu’s latest trailer release

Game on! Hulu released its new trailer for “Chad Powers.” The series,…
Former Alabama football star Lee Roy Jordan dies at 84

Legendary Alabama Football Icon Lee Roy Jordan Passes Away at Age 84

DALLAS (AP) — Lee Roy Jordan, a linebacker on the first Super…
Baby Emmanuel Haro timeline: How the search for a missing 7-month-old turned into an alleged murder

The Timeline of Baby Emmanuel Haro: From Missing Person to Alleged Murder Case

The intense search for a missing baby in Southern California has gained…
GCPD: Man arrested after shooting at officers multiple times at Brunswick motel

Police Arrest Man for Firing at Officers Several Times at a Brunswick Motel

The Glynn County Police Department said the man shot at officers who…
Hamas-Israel war: Israel soon will halt or slow aid to parts of Gaza Strip as IDF offensive grows

Hamas-Israel Conflict: Israel Plans to Reduce or Delay Aid to Certain Areas of Gaza Amid Rising IDF Operations

JERUSALEM — Israel is preparing to halt or slow humanitarian aid to…
Doorbell camera captures gunmen opening fire on Florida home in broad daylight shooting

Doorbell Camera Records Daytime Shooting as Gunmen Fire at Florida House

<!–> Doorbell camera captures bullets hitting home Authorities are looking for the…
I-95 southbound crash in St. Johns County leaves Jacksonville man injured

Jacksonville Man Injured in I-95 Southbound Accident in St. Johns County

The vehicle rotated counterclockwise and overturned on its passenger side, causing the…
Bill Clinton seen leaving airport with defibrillator, sparking health fears

Concerns Over Bill Clinton’s Health Rise After He Is Spotted Leaving Airport with a Defibrillator

Questions about Bill Clinton’s health have arisen after the former President was…
CCSO: Man shot at Clay Electric building, pointed gun toward deputies

Incident at Clay Electric: Man Shot After Threatening Deputies with Gun

CCSO said one deputy shot toward the suspect, who was not struck…
15-year-old Alex Durante killed in double Canaryville, Chicago shooting; police speaking to person of interest

Fatal Canaryville Shooting: Daniel Navas Maiver Faces Charges in Double Homicide at 47th and Union, Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — A 19-year-old has been charged with involvement in a…
A year after Hamas tunnel executions, Israel honors 'Beautiful Six' as hostage debate intensifies

One Year Later: Israel Commemorates the ‘Beautiful Six’ Executed by Hamas, Amid Ongoing Hostage Discussions

TEL AVIV, Israel — On Saturday, Israelis commemorated the one-year anniversary of…