President Donald Trump met with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele at the White House on Monday. The visit turned tense when Trump, Bukele, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and adviser Stephen Miller criticized CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins during a press briefing.
Bukele defended his country’s refusal to return Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the U.S., despite a Supreme Court ruling. He claimed he lacked the authority and said, “How can I return a criminal to the US? Smuggle a terrorist in?”
Rubio echoed Bukele’s remarks, stating U.S. foreign policy is decided by the president, not the courts. Trump also rebuked Collins, accusing her of asking repetitive questions.
The conversation later turned to border security and public safety, with Trump and Bukele praising record-high recruitment numbers for police and military under the current administration.
