Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s surprise visit to El Salvador to advocate for a deported MS-13 associate has sparked outrage. Critics say his actions could violate the Logan Act—an old but still active law against unauthorized diplomacy.
Key Facts: Van Hollen’s Trip Raises Logan Act Questions
- Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., traveled to El Salvador to intervene in the case of deportee Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
- The Logan Act prohibits unauthorized Americans from negotiating with foreign governments.
- Conservatives compared Van Hollen’s actions to the accusations leveled at Gen. Michael Flynn in 2016.
- The American Accountability Foundation asked the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate Van Hollen.
- Garcia is described by critics as affiliated with MS-13 and part of a transnational threat.
The Rest of the Story: What Happened During Van Hollen’s Trip
Senator Chris Van Hollen reportedly traveled to El Salvador in an effort to advocate for the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deportee accused of MS-13 gang ties.
The move immediately drew criticism from Republican voices who believe it may violate the Logan Act, a 1799 law aimed at stopping unauthorized diplomacy by U.S. citizens.
The Logan Act was passed after a private citizen, George Logan, attempted to resolve diplomatic tensions with France.
Though it has rarely been used, the law allows for fines and imprisonment.
Comparisons were quickly drawn to the 2016 case against Gen. Michael Flynn, who was accused of violating the same statute in discussions with a Russian ambassador before Donald Trump took office.
Media commentators and GOP officials alike questioned why Van Hollen had not faced consequences similar to Flynn.
Talk show hosts read the law on air, and the American Accountability Foundation formally requested a Senate ethics investigation.
Vince describes in detail exactly what you have to do to violate the Logan Act, and Chris Van Hollen has crossed that threshold
Who else wants @ChrisVanHollen arrested and or fined or both for violating the Logan Act@FBIDirectorKash Patel@FBIDDBongino
This has to happen pic.twitter.com/F6DlIyqM8I
— @Chicago1Ray 🇺🇸 (@Chicago1Ray) April 18, 2025
Commentary: Van Hollen’s Trip May Violate Logan Act and Undermine U.S. Law
If Gen. Michael Flynn faced an FBI probe under the Logan Act for a simple pre-inaugural call, then Sen. Van Hollen’s overseas lobbying deserves even greater scrutiny.
He wasn’t just making a call—he traveled to another country to challenge the policies of a sitting U.S. President.
Van Hollen’s visit didn’t just cross a political line—it may have crossed a legal one.
The Logan Act exists for a reason.
When elected officials go rogue and start running their own freelance foreign policies, the Constitution takes a back seat.
That’s a dangerous precedent for any republic, especially when it involves a known MS-13-linked deportee.
Let’s be clear: Kilmar Abrego Garcia is not some misunderstood traveler.
According to watchdog groups like AAF, he’s tied to violent transnational gangs.
Democrats like Van Hollen, in pushing for his release, are prioritizing criminals over American safety.
I went to El Salvador hoping to meet with Kilmar & check on his well-being, and I had the chance to do that last night.
Our courts have been clear: this was an ILLEGAL abduction. I’m speaking now about my meeting with Kilmar & our work to bring him home: https://t.co/0tZjVonkUF
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) April 18, 2025
The same Democrats who screamed Logan Act when Flynn talked to Russia are now silent—or worse, defending Van Hollen.
This isn’t about justice.
It’s about protecting one of their own, even if it puts Americans at risk.
Republicans should demand equal treatment under the law.
If the Logan Act applied to Flynn, it certainly applies here.
It’s time for Attorney General Ashley Bondi to step in and investigate.
This case can’t be brushed aside.
Let’s stop pretending this was just a “fact-finding” mission.
Van Hollen went to bat for a dangerous individual, possibly undermined U.S. foreign policy, and must now be held accountable.
The Bottom Line: Why Van Hollen’s Trip Could Trigger Legal Fallout
Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s trip to El Salvador is more than bad optics—it may be illegal.
By attempting to influence a foreign government’s treatment of a U.S. deportee, he could have violated the Logan Act.
If the law was grounds for going after Gen. Flynn, it must be applied consistently.
This is not about politics—it’s about protecting national security and upholding the rule of law.
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