In response to Donald Trump threatening to illegally send U.S. citizens to prisons in El Salvador, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:

“Corrupt wannabe dictator Donald Trump ‘love[s]’ the idea of illegally shipping Americans to foreign prisons. Let’s be clear about what Trump is saying: He’s willing to strip Americans of their constitutional rights and break U.S. law. Trump’s dangerous plans are a flagrant violation of our Constitution — and a horrifying sign of what could come if we don’t fight back.”

Last night, Donald Trump said he “love[s]” the idea of stripping American citizens of their constitutional rights and sending them to El Salvador’s prisons — places notorious for human rights violations.  

Reporter: “El Salvador – The president there said he would be willing to take American citizens in federal prison population. Is that one of the ideas you’re going to be discussing?” 

Trump: “I love that … I would be honored to give them. … I have suggested that, you know, why shouldn’t it stop just to people that cross the border illegally? … I think if we could get El Salvador or somebody to take them I’d be very happy with it.” 

Brennan Center For Justice: “El Salvador’s Offer to House U.S. Prisoners Is Illegal”

“[I]t is still illegal under Trump’s own touted First Step Act.”

Politico: “Trump floats sending Americans to foreign prisons. Civil rights groups say that would be illegal.”  

U.S. State Department, 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: El Salvador: “Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses

“The law prohibited such practices, but there were credible reports that government officials employed them. … 

“Prison conditions before the state of exception were harsh and life threatening due to gross overcrowding; inadequate sanitary conditions; insufficient food and water shortages; a lack of medical services in prison facilities; and physical attacks. … Human rights organizations reported that as of August 22, more than 70 detainees died in prisons from violence, insufficient medical care, and chronic health conditions.” 

Human Rights Watch: “At least 189 detainees have died in prison during the state of emergency, human rights groups reported in October.”

NBC News: “Why experts fear the men who were sent to El Salvador’s megaprison may never make it out”

“Hundreds of Venezuelans who were deported to El Salvador from the United States in recent days could face long or indefinite detention in a prison system rife with human rights abuses, according to attorneys and experts on the region.”

Trump has a long history of attacking Americans’ constitutional rights and even called to “terminate” the Constitution. 

PBS: “Trump faced rebuke Sunday from officials in both parties after calling for the “termination” of parts of the Constitution over his lie that the 2020 election was stolen. …

“‘A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution,’ [Trump] wrote.” 

The Guardian: “Trump’s disregard for US constitution ‘a blitzkrieg on the law’, legal experts say” 

“Donald Trump’s rapid-fire and controversial moves that have ranged from banning birthright citizenship to firing 18 inspectors general means the US president has shown a greater willingness than his predecessors to violate the constitution and federal law, some historians and legal scholars say.”

Associated Press: “Trump signed an order to reshape how elections in the US are run. Is it constitutional?” 

“Trump’s order calls for dramatic changes to voter registration and election procedures. For one, it requires states to ensure that all ballots are returned by Election Day – not simply postmarked by that day – or risk losing federal funding.

“But the authority he’s claiming goes beyond what’s outlined in the Constitution, several election law experts said. Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution says states get to determine the ‘times, places and manner’ of how elections are run.”

The Trump administration has already ignored judges’ orders and wrongly sent people to El Salvador — failing to check if the people they are sending are criminals. 

Reuters: “Judge orders return of wrongly deported Maryland man to US from El Salvador”

“The U.S. has already acknowledged Kilmar Abrego Garcia – a Salvadoran migrant who lived in the U.S legally with a work permit – was deported in error last month when the government flew three planes of migrants alleged to have ties to violent gangs or immigration violations to the Central America country. …

“Abrego Garcia was wrongfully placed on the third flight despite an October 2019 judicial order granting him protection from deportation, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official has said in a court filing.”

CBS News: “U.S. sent 238 migrants to Salvadoran mega-prison; documents indicate most have no apparent criminal records” 

“[T]hrough internal government documents, we have obtained a list of their identities and found that an overwhelming majority have no apparent criminal convictions or even criminal charges. …

“Among them: a makeup artist, a soccer player and a food delivery driver, being held in a place so harsh that El Salvador’s justice minister once said the only way out is in a coffin.”

Axios: “Exclusive: How the White House ignored a judge’s order to turn back deportation flights” 

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