The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) trolled Democrats on Monday in a new digital travel ad mocking Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s (D-Md.) recent meeting with alleged MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador.
“¡Bienvenidos a El Salvador Senate Dems! Democrats should feel free to make their trip to hang out with MS-13 gangbangers one-way,” the NRSC wrote on X, in post unveiling the new ad.
The 40-second spot from GOP’s Senate campaign arm has the feel of a tourism board advertisement, with relaxing music and scenic shots of Salvadoran locales interwoven with images of Van Hollen “sipping margaritas” with Abrego Garcia, illegal border-crossers and other Senate Dems.
“Welcome to El Salvador. Home to breathtaking sunsets, world class surf breaks and gang banger Kilmar Abrego Garcia,” a zen-like narrator says in the ad.
“El Salvador is the destination for Democrats seeking the thrill of bringing violent, criminal, illegal aliens back to America,” the voiceover continues, imploring Democrats to “come witness Trump Derangement Syndrome in its purest form.”
“From Chris Van Hollen and Cory Booker. You may even see John Ossoff. So what are you waiting for, Senate Democrats? Join your colleagues and step into the rhythm of rescue today,” the ad concludes.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) – the House Republican campaign arm – deployed a similar tactic Monday and offered to foot the bill for any Democrat who wants to join Abrego Garcia in El Salvador.
“We just have one condition: Livestream the whole thing. Snap plenty of selfies with your MS-13 buddies – the same violent criminals you’re trying to reimport into American neighborhoods to rape, kill, and terrorize law-abiding citizens,” the NRCC said in a statement.
“If out of touch House Democrats are so desperate to cozy up to violent gang members, the least they can do is let Americans watch the show,” NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement. “We’ll pay for the plane tickets, they just can’t forget to smile for the camera while they sell out their constituents.”
Several Democrats followed Van Hollen’s lead and traveled to El Salvador on Monday to advocate for Abrego Garcia’s return to the US.
The Supreme Court has ordered the Trump administration to “facilitate” the Maryland father’s return to the US but noted that it may be outside of the bounds of the judicial system to demand that the government “effectuate” his release from an El Salvador prison.
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has refused to release the alleged MS-13 gang member from prison.
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