Democrat MS-13 Supporter Faces AG Bondi’s Ire After Trip to El Salvador

Senator Chris Van Hollen is under scrutiny for his recent visit to El Salvador, where he advocated for the release of deportee Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Critics argue the Maryland Democrat may have breached an old U.S. law that restricts unauthorized diplomatic efforts.

The Logan Act, named after Pennsylvania Senator George Logan, prohibits private citizens from engaging with foreign governments “with intent to influence their measures … in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States.” Violation of the law can result in fines or up to three years in prison. If any charges were to be filed, Attorney General Pam Bondi would oversee the Justice Department's pursuit of the case.

The statute dates back to 1799, following George Logan’s unauthorized negotiations with French envoy Charles de Talleyrand after France rejected President John Adams' diplomatic advances. Logan attempted to ease tensions during the “Quasi War” through correspondence supported by then-Vice President Thomas Jefferson.

Fox News reports that a growing number of conservative figures are now questioning whether Van Hollen’s actions fall under illegal conduct.

“Why hasn’t this U.S. senator been arrested for violation of the Logan Act?” Republican strategist and activist Roger Stone posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding, “It’s illegal to conduct your own foreign policy.”

Radio host Vince Coglianese of WMAL also raised concerns, reading the Logan Act aloud on air and asking his audience, “Is Chris Van Hollen violating the Logan Act?” Coglianese pointed out that similar accusations were leveled against Gen. Michael Flynn, the former incoming national security adviser, who merely spoke with foreign diplomats after President Donald Trump was elected.

Coglianese emphasized the statute’s language: “The Logan Act says any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with the intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than three years or both.”

The controversy around Flynn originated from his communications with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak before Trump’s inauguration, leading to an FBI investigation and the eventual end of Flynn’s career in public service. Democrats had previously invoked the Logan Act in their criticism of Flynn's actions.

Notes from former FBI agent Peter Strzok indicated that then-Vice President Joe Biden suggested using the Logan Act against Flynn, noted with the phrase “VP: Logan Act.” Despite this, then-FBI Director James Comey reportedly said that Flynn’s conversations appeared “legitimate.”

In response to a question on X, Fox News contributor Byron York commented that he had always considered the Logan Act to be a “dead letter” during the Flynn controversy.

Meanwhile, the American Accountability Foundation (AAF) has formally requested an investigation. According to the New York Post, AAF President Thomas Jones sent a letter to Senate Ethics Committee Chairman James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD).

“Mr. Abrego-Garcia is essentially an enemy combatant in the ongoing invasion of the United States by transnational gangs,” Jones wrote. “Despite the overwhelming evidence, Senator Van Hollen decided that he would use Senate funds to fly to El Salvador and advocate for an enemy of the United States.”

Jones further asserted, “Van Hollen was in El Salvador meeting with leaders of the Salvadorian government to attempt to secure Mr. Garcia’s release. It is hard to imagine a more hostile intrusion into U.S. foreign policy than attempting to smuggle a foreign enemy combatant into the United States.”

Court documents from the Trump administration identify Abrego Garcia as a member of the MS-13 gang. President Trump has previously described MS-13 as a transnational criminal organization and classified its members as terrorists.