Even Republicans are split over this key issue.
“You don’t ship American citizens off to foreign prisons,” says Kennedy — But the White House isn’t backing down.
A major rift may be brewing inside the Republican Party, as Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) takes a hard stance against President Donald Trump’s controversial idea to send violent U.S.-born criminals to prisons overseas — specifically, to El Salvador.
Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press this Sunday, Kennedy pushed back on the President’s proposal, calling it legally questionable and morally wrong.
“No, ma’am,” Kennedy told host Kristen Welker, when asked if the move was legal. “It’s not legal — and it’s not right.”
🇺🇸 Trump: “These Are Monsters – We Need Them Gone”
President Trump made headlines earlier this week after a meeting with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, where he suggested expanding deportations beyond illegal aliens to include “homegrown monsters.”
“We have Americans pushing people into subway trains and hitting elderly ladies in the head with baseball bats,” Trump said. “I’d love to send them out too — but we’ll have to look at the laws.”
Trump’s remarks immediately stirred debate, with supporters praising his no-nonsense approach to crime, while others, like Senator Kennedy, warned it may cross constitutional lines.
⚖️ Kennedy: “The Eighth Amendment Still Matters”
Senator Kennedy, known for his colorful style and deep respect for the Constitution, made his position clear.
“We have the Eighth Amendment for a reason,” he said. “You don’t outsource justice. You don’t put Americans in foreign cells. It’s not who we are.”
He also criticized the Trump administration’s handling of a recent case involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man deported to El Salvador despite no criminal conviction in the U.S.
🚨 MS-13, Deportation, and the Supreme Court Showdown
The White House maintains that Garcia is affiliated with the violent MS-13 gang, a group President Trump has long vowed to eliminate from U.S. communities. But critics point out he was never convicted, and the Supreme Court recently ruled 9-0 that the administration must facilitate his return.
“This was a screw-up,” Kennedy said bluntly. “I know the administration doesn’t want to admit it — but they need to.”
Still, the Trump administration has refused to comply, insisting that bringing Garcia back would endanger American citizens.
🔍 What This Means for Trump’s 2024 Crime Agenda
This dust-up comes at a pivotal moment, as President Trump campaigns on restoring law and order and cleaning up America’s cities. His bold stance continues to rally millions of voters, but it’s clear not all Republicans are on the same page.