Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem repeatedly refused to confirm whether a photo of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's hand had been edited.
The photo was posted by President Donald Trump on April 21 as evidence that Abrego Garcia — who was mistakenly deported to a high security El Salvador prison — is a member of the violent MS-13 organization.
@couriernewsroom The Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem refuses to admit that Trump posted an edited photo of Abrego Garcia.
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Abrego Garcia's knuckles are shown in the photo, with an "M," "S," "1" and "3" added above his tattoos, seemingly to imply that his actual tattoos were code for MS-13. Despite other photos of Abrego Garcia's hand showing his tattoos without "MS-13," the president repeatedly denied the letters and numbers were added digitally, insisting the image was unedited.
During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Wednesday, Noem appeared determined not to contradict the president, repeatedly sidestepping questions of whether the photo was doctored.
"I want to put to rest this question about Mr. Garcia in this photo," said Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA). "You agree that the letters MS and the number 13 in Times Roman Numeral font are doctored on this photo, right?"
Noem deflected, referencing the broader case against Garcia without directly answering whether the image had been altered. "It wasn't based off of tattoos. It was based off an entire case against him—" she began.
Swalwell interrupted each time it became clear she was evading his question.
"I have a 7-year-old, a 6-year-old, and a 3-year-old," Swalwell eventually shot back. "I have a bullsh-t detector. I'm just asking you, is this doctored or not doctored?"
Pressed further, Noem continued to evade: "I don't have any knowledge as to that photo you're pointing to."
The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia has drawn significant controversy, with the administration doubling down on accusations that he is a dangerous gang member and refusing to return him to the US, despite a court order to do so.
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