Fox News host Laura Ingraham pressed Democratic Rep. Yassamin Ansari (Ariz.) in a heated exchange on Tuesday, with the host saying Kilmar Abrego Garcia “doesn’t matter” to the lawmaker.
Ansari joined “The Ingraham Angle” shortly after she and other House Democrats visited El Salvador to check on Abrego Garcia, a wrongfully deported Maryland man, and demand he be returned to the United States.
“What was your point in traveling to El Salvador? Senator Van Hollen had just been there,” Ingraham asked, noting Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s (D) recent solo visit.
“To me, there is nothing more American than due process and the rule of law,” Ansari replied.
The Arizona Democrat noted that the Supreme Court has ordered the Trump administration to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return. President Trump and top officials have noted that the order left wiggle room and pointed responsibility to El Salvador to return him, which the country said wouldn’t happen.
Ansari argued that it’s a bipartisan issue, with people across the political spectrum concerned about the implications of wrongfully deporting a man. She highlighted that the conservative majority on the Supreme Court has said Abrego Garcia should be brought back to the U.S.
Ingraham questioned what due process rights for Abrego Garcia that Ansari and the fellow Democrats were fighting for. The two began to talk over one another, with Ingraham noting that it was “annoying for the viewers.”
The Fox News host later asked Ansari if she cared about crimes committed against U.S. citizens by migrants illegally in the country, noting the death of a Maryland woman allegedly killed by a migrant from Guatemala.
Ansari said she, of course, does and dismissed Ingraham’s attempt to connect the death of a U.S. citizen with her effort to fight for Abrego Garcia’s due process rights and the larger picture behind the battle.
“I am appalled by any violence that takes place in this country. As a former city official, I have a very strong pro-public safety record, and that’s why I believe in the rule of law and that’s why this case is so important,” Ansari said.
Ansari argued that Ingraham was trying to change the topic away from the constitutional right of due process to migrant crime, calling her questions “a distraction from the main issue.”
“The Supreme Court says return him and in court, we can have a discussion about what action should be taken,” Ansari later said.
“I don’t think he matters to you,” Ingraham interjected. “I think the political story matters to you.”
Ingraham pressed on, asking the lawmaker what due process rights Abrego Garcia was denied. She highlighted a point from the Trump administration that has said if Abrego Garcia is returned to the U.S., he would be deported again.
“What you care about is an illegal immigrant’s right to be here,” Ingraham said, shutting down the interview.