(Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) confronted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a heated House Homeland Security hearing, demanding clarity on whether a photo shared by President Donald Trump was doctored to falsely suggest gang affiliation.
At the center of the exchange was a photo Trump posted on April 21, allegedly showing deported immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia with “MS13” marked on his hand. The image has raised eyebrows for appearing manipulated, with the letters and number displayed in what looks like a Times Roman font.
Swalwell began his questioning by stating his goal was to ensure Noem’s credibility. “I want you to have credibility and be taken seriously as you do the job. And so I want to put to rest this question about Mr. Garcia in this photo that the president posted on April 21,” he said.
Pressing her further, Swalwell asked directly, “Madam Secretary, you agree that the letters MS and the number 13 in Times Roman numeral font that they are doctored on this photo, right?”
Noem responded by insisting that Garcia was not deported because of any tattoos. But Swalwell continued, narrowing his question: “For the purpose of this question, you agree, though, that this is doctored, is that right? Is this doctored or is it not doctored?”
Rather than giving a clear answer, Noem deflected, saying, “I don’t have any knowledge of that photo you’re pointing to.”
That didn’t satisfy Swalwell, who brought a personal angle to the questioning. “Madam Secretary, I have a seven-year-old, a six-year-old, and a three-year-old,” he said. “I have a bulls— detector. I’m just asking you, is this doctored or not doctored?”
Swalwell grew visibly frustrated as Noem declined to confirm what she saw in the image. “My question is the numbers and the letter MS-13. Could you look at the photo, please? It’s right in front of you.”
Noem brushed off the request. “This is unbelievable to me that you’re focused on a photo,” she responded.
Swalwell fired back: “It’s unbelievable to me that you can’t look at the photo and tell the American people.” He concluded his line of questioning by asking what DHS had done to verify the legitimacy of Trump’s claim, but Noem offered no indication of any investigation.
“The answer is you’ve done nothing to correct the president,” Swalwell said in closing.
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