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
Blue city perp with 50+ arrests accused of pushing stranger onto train tracks in fifth attack that day: report

Chronic Offender with 50+ Arrests Strikes Again: NYC Subway Attack Marks Fifth Assault in a Single Day

A New York City man, notorious for his lengthy criminal record of…
Senate report details dozens of cases of medical neglect in federal immigration detention centers

Senate Report Unveils Widespread Medical Neglect in Federal Immigration Detention Facilities

An investigation by the U.S. Senate has brought to light numerous credible…
Mamdani: Saying NYPD Boot 'On Your Neck' 'Laced by the IDF' Was 'Reference to Training Exercises', Don't Think They're Still Hand in Glove

Mamdani Clarifies Comments on NYPD-IDF Training Connection, Describes ‘Boot on Your Neck’ Metaphor as a Reference to Past Exercises

In a recent appearance on CNN’s “AC360,” New York City mayoral hopeful…
Bradford County deputy arrested, fired for stealing money from jail inmate, sheriff's office says

Bradford County Deputy Dismissed After Allegedly Stealing Inmate Funds: Sheriff’s Office Reports

Francis Highland is facing serious legal trouble with two felony charges for…
Egor Demin has found his 3-point touch, but the Nets want him to find the paint

Brooklyn Nets Urge Egor Demin to Balance His Game: From 3-Point Dynamo to Paint Powerhouse

Egor Demin, the Brooklyn Nets’ first lottery pick in 15 years, has…
Actor Jesse Eisenberg to donate kidney to stranger in December

Jesse Eisenberg’s Heartwarming Decision: Donating a Kidney to a Stranger This December

During an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show, an Oscar-nominated actor shared his…
Robert Irwin's mom, Terri Irwin, proves she is his No. 1 'Dancing with the Stars' fan

Terri Irwin’s Unwavering Support: The Heartwarming Reason She’s Robert Irwin’s Biggest ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Cheerleader

LOS ANGELES — The Irwin family recently shared their excitement with On…
Man stabbed to death in workplace conflict at Anheuser-Busch facility; Suspect in custody, JSO says

Workplace Dispute Turns Deadly at Anheuser-Busch: Suspect Arrested, Jacksonville Authorities Confirm

A contractor lost his life on Thursday following a stabbing incident at…
Mississippi Delta bust: 2 sheriffs, 12 police officers arrested, charged in drug trafficking bribery scheme

Breaking: Massive Drug Trafficking Bust in Mississippi Delta Involves 2 Sheriffs, 12 Officers

In a significant development on Thursday, federal authorities revealed indictments against 20…
Evanston ICE news today: Federal agents detain 2 after allegedly causing crash at Asbury and Oakton, witnesses say

Federal Agents Detain Two Following Alleged Crash Incident at Asbury and Oakton in Evanston, Witnesses Report

In Evanston, Illinois, reports from ABC7 indicate that federal agents resorted to…
BROADWAY REVIEW: Metcalf stuns audience again in ‘Little Bear Ridge Road’

Broadway Review: Laurie Metcalf Captivates Audiences Once More in ‘Little Bear Ridge Road

When some individuals are diagnosed with cancer, they choose to keep their…
Google, Amazon Secretly Alerted Israel of Data Access

Revealed: How Google and Amazon Covertly Notified Israel About Data Access Concerns

A recent investigation led by The Guardian has uncovered a covert system…