DHS Secretary Noem Defends MS-13 Deportation Amid Swalwell Clash

During a Homeland Security budget hearing, Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell confronted DHS Secretary Kristi Noem over a photo of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's hand, which showed alleged MS-13 tattoos with added letters and numbers that Swalwell claimed were doctored. Swalwell repeatedly pressed Noem to confirm whether the photo was altered, asserting he had a "bulls--- detector" and demanding credibility from the Secretary. Noem defended the deportation of Abrego Garcia, emphasizing it was based on a full investigation and not the photo, and stressed that Garcia is a known violent criminal with ties to MS-13, a wife beater, and a human trafficker. The exchange highlighted tensions over immigration and national security policies, with Noem expressing incredulity at Swalwell's focus on the photo rather than the broader security issues. The controversy stems from the Trump administration's use of the photo, which included digitally added characters, to assert Garcia's gang affiliation despite a prior judicial ruling barring his deportation. Noem maintained that the deportation was justified and that Garcia would not be allowed back into the U.S., rejecting Swalwell's accusations that she was vouching for Garcia.