Maddow: Trump Admin Admitted Abrego-García Had No Criminal Record Whatsoever

At this point, Maddow might as well be serving as Kilmar Abrego-García’s PR agent — more focused on polishing his image than giving her viewers the full truth.

Rachel Maddow recently said of Kilmar Abrego García:

“Americans all over the country learned this man’s name and protested on his behalf and pressed their elected representatives on his behalf. After the Trump administration admitted that this man with no criminal record whatsoever… they had sent him to that foreign prison totally by accident.”

Abrego García illegally entered the United States — which is itself a crime.

After being returned to the U.S. from El Salvador, federal prosecutors charged him in 2025 after a multi-year investigation. They allege he conspired to transport illegal migrants — including minors — into and across the U.S. He is awaiting trial on federal charges related to human smuggling and transporting illegal aliens.

Law enforcement has also alleged ties between Abrego García and the violent MS-13 gang. In 2019, Maryland police conducted a “Gang Field Interview” during a routine stop, noting clothing associated with gang symbolism. A confidential informant — described as “reliable” — identified him as a ranking MS-13 member nicknamed “Chele.” Police also reported finding him in the company of known MS-13 gang members on multiple occasions, information later cited by the Department of Homeland Security.

In May 2021, his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, filed a protective order accusing Abrego García of punching and scratching her — causing bleeding — and ripping her clothing during an argument. She later failed to appear in court, and the order was dismissed — likely due to fear, loyalty, or pressure. In a 2020 filing, she also accused him of threatening to kill her and damaging property during another incident. “Believe all women” — unless they accuse someone politically inconvenient.

In 2018, her ex-partner told a court, “She is dating a gang member,” a statement consistent with other law enforcement claims.

And yet, while telling her audience the Trump administration admitted Abrego-García had “no criminal record whatsoever,” Maddow aired carefully selected photos of him holding a baby — framing him as an innocent family man — while leaving out his illegal entry, pending human-smuggling charges, alleged MS-13 ties, and domestic violence records.

That’s not journalism — it’s narrative control.