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
Violent mob of juveniles swarms streets, attacks officers in wild ‘teen takeover’ caught on video

Teen Mob Overruns Streets and Clashes with Police in Shocking Video Footage

Over the weekend, authorities in Washington, D.C. detained nearly a dozen juveniles…
Carrie Everett: Former Miss North Carolina, NC Central student dies after signet ring cell carcinoma cancer diagnosis

Carrie Everett, Former Miss North Carolina and NC Central Student, Passes Away Following Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis

Former Miss North Carolina 2024, Carrie Everett, passed away on Monday morning…
Rogue NYC driver on lam after ramming cop cars, striking officer: NYPD

Manhunt for NYC Driver: Officer Injured in Wild Police Car Chase

A Brooklyn driver caused chaos over the weekend by colliding with two…
US-Iran war news: Downtown Chicago protests held as local Iranian Americans fear for relatives' safety

Chicago Protests Erupt as Iranian Americans Voice Concerns Over US-Iran Tensions and Family Safety

In Chicago, demonstrators gathered at Federal Plaza to urge Congress to take…
Trump announces two-week 'double-sided ceasefire' hours before Iran deadline, hints that deal is close to 'finalized'

Trump Declares Two-Week ‘Double-Sided Ceasefire’ Just Before Iran Deadline, Suggests Imminent Deal Finalization

In a significant turn of events, President Trump has opted for a…
Report: Son of Iranian Regime's 'Screaming Mary' Spokeswoman Teaches Psychology in Los Angeles

Iranian Regime Spokeswoman’s Son Pursues Psychology Career in Los Angeles: A Surprising Connection

A 43-year-old son of a prominent Iranian figure is reportedly residing in…
First-ever photo of Earth from moon’s far side unveiled as Artemis II begins journey home, Trump weighs in

Artemis II Captures Historic First Photo of Earth’s Far Side as Trump Comments on Space Milestone

In an extraordinary feat, NASA has released a groundbreaking photograph taken from…
There Will Never Be Another One Like Him

Remembering a Legend: The Unmatched Legacy of [Person’s Name]

In 2015, Donald Trump, a dynamic and straightforward businessman from New York,…
Eric Swalwell Blames 'MAGA Conspiracy Theorists' for Rumors He Sexually Harassed Staffers and Interns

Eric Swalwell Denounces ‘MAGA Conspiracy Theorists’ for Baseless Sexual Harassment Allegations

California Congressman and gubernatorial candidate, Democrat Eric Swalwell, is vehemently refuting allegations…
Ford recalls 422,000 trucks and SUVs for wiper defect

Ford Issues Urgent Recall for 422,000 Trucks and SUVs Due to Windshield Wiper Defect

There is a potential safety issue with windshield wiper blades that may…
Daylight hammer attack suspect is illegal alien released under Biden policies: DHS

Suspect in Daylight Hammer Attack, an Undocumented Immigrant, Released Under Biden Administration Policies: DHS Report

An individual from Haiti, who had previously been detained and then released…
Georgia youth softball coach attacks rival on pitcher's mound in wild catfight caught on video

Georgia Softball Coach’s On-Field Altercation with Rival Caught on Video

A heated altercation erupted on the field during a youth softball game…