Staff Reports
The White House was the stage for a dramatic and consequential meeting this week as President Donald Trump welcomed El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele—a leader whose iron-fisted approach to crime has transformed his nation from a gang-ridden danger zone into one of the safest countries in the region. Bukele, who boasts sky-high approval ratings at home, has become a symbol of what decisive leadership can achieve, even as critics in the media and human rights circles grumble about his methods. For many Americans, his visit was a breath of fresh air—a reminder that strong borders and tough-on-crime policies can deliver real results.
Bukele’s crackdown on gangs like MS-13 has been nothing short of remarkable. Once the murder capital of the world, El Salvador now reports homicide rates lower than many Western countries, thanks to Bukele’s willingness to do what others wouldn’t: build massive prisons, empower law enforcement, and put the safety of citizens first. While the left wrings its hands over alleged human rights abuses, the Salvadoran people have spoken—overwhelmingly supporting Bukele’s efforts to restore order and dignity to their daily lives. It’s a lesson in leadership that Washington would do well to heed.
The meeting, however, was not without controversy. The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia—a man deported from Maryland to El Salvador and alleged to have ties to MS-13—became a flashpoint. Despite a Supreme Court ruling that the U.S. must “facilitate” his return, both Trump and Bukele made it clear: Garcia will not be coming back. Bukele dismissed the idea as “absurd,” refusing to “smuggle a terrorist” into the United States. The Trump administration echoed this stance, emphasizing that the final decision rests with El Salvador, not activist judges or the media. It’s a clear message: America’s safety comes first, and foreign leaders who respect our sovereignty are valued partners.
Yet, the media’s reaction was telling. Reporters from left-leaning outlets pressed relentlessly for Garcia’s return, seemingly more concerned with the rights of an alleged gang member than with the safety of American communities. This disconnect between media priorities and the concerns of everyday Americans is nothing new, but it was on full display as journalists appeared to advocate
