Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett is facing heavy criticism after comments she made comparing former President Donald Trump to Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man deported last month to El Salvador amid allegations of MS-13 gang involvement.

During an interview on MSNBC’s The Katie Phang Show, Crockett expressed concern over Abrego Garcia’s deportation and appeared to downplay his alleged criminal history. She questioned why U.S. officials couldn’t secure his return to the United States, saying, “As far as I’m concerned, he’s a lot less criminal than the person that’s sitting in the White House.” Crockett emphasized that, unlike Trump, Abrego Garcia has no criminal convictions in the U.S.

The remarks immediately sparked backlash on social media, with critics accusing the congresswoman of making an extreme comparison. Some called her comments “anti-American,” while others accused her of being out of touch with public opinion.

Adding to the controversy, Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen recently traveled to El Salvador to meet with Abrego Garcia and has vowed to advocate for his release from detention there. However, political analysts have urged caution, advising Democrats not to focus too closely on the individual case.

During a CNN panel, Democratic strategist Mo Elleithee advised that the issue should not center on Abrego Garcia himself, but rather the broader conversation about rights and due process. “Let us not make him a martyr,” Elleithee said, recommending the party focus on what he described as larger concerns over civil liberties and government accountability.

The Trump administration previously identified Abrego Garcia as a suspected member of MS-13, a gang that has been labeled a foreign terrorist organization by Trump. Two immigration judges and El Salvadoran officials supported that classification, which was a key factor in his deportation under immigration enforcement laws.

Senator Van Hollen, meanwhile, held a press conference after his visit to El Salvador, stating that he would continue advocating for what he described as fair treatment for Abrego Garcia. His comments included concerns over due process and constitutional rights, which some supporters see as under threat in broader immigration policy.

The debate continues to stir tension, with opposing voices either defending Crockett’s broader message about justice or criticizing her comparison as inappropriate and misleading.