A former head of the Republican National Committee on Sunday traded barbs with a Dem Party big in a fiery debate over the deportation of accused migrant gangbanger Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
Ex-RNC boss Reince Priebus, 53, roasted Democrats during a panel session of ABC News’ “This Week” for “traveling to El Salvador for MS-13 gang members,” which set off fellow guest and Democratic National Committee Vice Chairman David Hogg, 25.
“This was not an MS-13 gang member, and you damn well know that!” Hogg snapped, referring to Abrego Garcia and drawing groans from Priebus.
Priebus shot back, “Keep defending this guy.
“You’re just digging your own hole,” Priebus said.
Abrego Garcia, 29, was deported to El Salvador last month alongside almost 260 alleged gangbangers despite a 2019 court order blocking him from being sent there over concerns he could face gang violence.
The Trump administration alleges that Abrego Garcia was discovered having “rolls of cash and drugs” when he was detained and that he had been “arrested with two other members of MS-13.”
The administration also claimed in court documents that Abrego Garcia was “confirmed to be a ranking member of the MS-13 gang by a proven and reliable source.”
Abrego Garcia entered the US illegally in 2011 and originally came from El Salvador.
Critics have cried foul over the lack of due process given during Abrego Garcia’s deportation. President Trump bypassed traditional deportation channels and invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to expel him.
“We are a land of law and order, and this administration is repeatedly showing time and time again, they do not care about what the Supreme Court says,” Hogg said. “They do not care about the rule of law. And you cannot defend sending people to another country where they don’t have rights.”
Earlier this month, the US Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to “‘facilitate’ Abrego Garcia’s release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent” there.
“He’s here illegally,” Priebus argued. “The Intel community, every Intel community agency and the White House say he is a member of MS-13.”
Earlier in the segment, the pair battled over Hogg’s announcement that his organization, “Leaders We Deserve,” will throw $20 million into Democratic primaries against Dem incumbents in noncompetitive districts to favor party candidates who are more combative.
The move has drawn fierce backlash from Democrats because of Hogg’s perch as vice chair of the DNC. The party’s chairman, Ken Martin, has not condoned Hogg’s plans to meddle in primaries.
“I think it’s going to be a hell of a lot harder for us to beat Republicans with a 27 percent approval rating,” Hogg argued to ABC’s Jon Karl about the move. “We need to show people the way that Democrats fight for democracy is by using democracy to revive the American dream.”
Priebus, who led the RNC from 2011 to 2017, told Hogg that he never would have accepted any such party-boss meddling on the Republican side.
“Unfortunately, David, I’d have you removed from the party,” Preibus bluntly told Hogg. “I think you’re sincere. I don’t question that. I think you’re right. The Democrats are a complete mess. They have no movement.
“But here’s the point, you’re taking $20 million … out of the DNC’s pocket,” he said.
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