Rep. Eric Swalwell didn’t hold back Wednesday when he confronted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about a photoshopped image of Kilmar Abrego Garcia during a heated House hearing.
The image — first shared by PDonald Trump — shows tattoos on Abrego Garcia’s hands with “M”, “S”, and “13” added above them. The clear message? To make it look like he’s part of the violent MS-13 gang. But here’s the problem: those extra markings weren’t real tattoos. They were digitally added. Trump still claimed they were genuine.
Swalwell wasn’t having it.
“Madam Secretary,” he asked, “you agree that the letters ‘M-S’ and the number 13, in Times Roman Numeral font, that they are doctored on this photo, right?”
Noem dodged: “Congressman, Abrego Garcia is–”
Swalwell cut her off. “No, no, I’m just asking about this photo.”
Noem tried again: “–a known member of MS-13. It wasn’t based off of tattoos. It was based off an entire case.”
Swalwell stayed focused. “OK, and I’ll accept that for the purpose of this question. You agree, though, that this is doctored? Is that right?”
Noem wouldn’t answer. “The same protocols that are applied to every–”
Swalwell pressed harder. “Madam Secretary, I want you to have credibility and I want you to be taken seriously. Is this doctored or is it not doctored?”
Noem refused again: “Sir, I am taken quite seriously because–”
Swalwell kept going: “Is it doctored or not doctored?”
Noem: “–I approach my job with the importance that the president has given me to do my job.”
Swalwell wasn’t done. “I understand. Is it doctored or not doctored?”
Noem still wouldn’t give a straight answer. “One thing that’s important to remember is that every single time a case built–”
And then Swalwell dropped the hammer.
“Madam Secretary, I have a 7-year-old, a 6-year-old, and a 3-year-old. I have a bullshit detector. I’m just asking you: is this doctored or not doctored?”
Noem’s final dodge? “Sir, the protocols in the case built against–”
Swalwell made one last push: “Can you answer the question?”
Noem replied: “–Abrego Garcia were exactly the same. I don’t have any knowledge as to that photo you’re pointing to.”
In the end, there was no answer. No accountability. Just more spin.
Watch the video below:
