Does Kilmar Abrego Garcia Have ‘MS-13’ Tattooed on His Hand? What We Know
9 hours ago
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The White House has posted what it considers proof of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s MS-13 gang membership by sharing images of tattoos on his hand.
President Donald Trump said that Garcia has “MS-13 tattooed onto his knuckles,” though critics said that the images did not back up his claims and could have been faked.
The Context
Abrego Garcia was arrested in 2019 and accused of being a member of the MS-13 gang, which the Trump administration has designated a foreign terrorist organization. Abrego Garcia denied being a member of the gang, but two judges, in separate rulings, concluded that he was, based on confidential information provided to the court. He was shielded from deportation to El Salvador because he said that he would be targeted by MS-13’s gangland rivals.
Abrego Garcia was deported there after being arrested last month in what the Trump administration lawyers said was an “administrative error.” His family denies any ties to gangs and Abrego Garcia has no criminal record in the United States, although his wife accused him of domestic violence and obtained a restraining order against him. They have since been reconciled.
What To Know
Following criticism that the deportation of Abrego Garcia was unlawful, Trump posted an image of himself in the Oval Office, holding a picture that the White House said was of Abrego Garcia’s hands.
In the image, the left hand has knuckle tattoos of a marijuana leaf, a smiley face, a cross, and a skull, which the Trump administration says are symbols for “M”, “S”, “1”, and “3,” respectively. Newsweek was unable to verify these claims.
“This is the hand of the man that the Democrats feel should be brought back to the United States, because he is such ‘a fine and innocent person,'” Trump said in a Truth Social post that accompanied the image.
“They said he is not a member of MS-13, even though he’s got MS-13 tattooed onto his knuckles, and two Highly Respected Courts found that he was a member of MS-13 and beat up his wife.”
An image released by the White House of President Donald Trump holding a picture of Abrego Garcia’s hand, with the phrase “MS-13” edited into the knuckles above his tattoos, on April 18, 2025. An image released by the White House of President Donald Trump holding a picture of Abrego Garcia’s hand, with the phrase “MS-13” edited into the knuckles above his tattoos, on April 18, 2025. The White House
However, critics of the president said that the symbols did not necessarily align with MS-13 insignia, and pointed out that members of the gang frequently use the actual letters rather than metaphorical symbols.
“Trump just posted this himself as proof that Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a member of MS-13,” one response on X said. “Presumably it’s a tattoo on Garcia’s hand that’s code for MS-13. Except the gang is famous for literally tattooing MS-13 all over their bodies. Trump is getting desperate.”
Other viewers claimed that the White House had altered the photos, with one reply reading: “Trump and these creeps are posting a photoshopped image of fake tattoos on Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s hand that say ‘MS-13.’ Probably not something you’d do if you had any actual evidence that he was in the gang. They are completely and totally desperate.”
Supporters of the president highlighted that the picture was different to images of Abrego Garcia shared by his wife on social media, with some suggesting that she had edited the tattoos out to garner more sympathy.
Andy Ngo, a pro-Trump journalist, said: “Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, has strategically censored her partner’s left hand in the photo she uploaded on her TikTok to promote her GoFundMe.”
What People Are Saying
President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador posted on X: “Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the ‘death camps’ & ‘torture,’ now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador. Now that he’s been confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador’s custody.”
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, who visited Abergo Garcia in El Salvador this week, said: “My main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.”
What Happens Next
Abrego Garcia remains in El Salvador while the discussion about whether or not he can return to the U.S. continues. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the Trump administration must facilitate his return, though the White House have said repeatedly that he will not.
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