ABC’s Rachel Scott Confronts Trump Spox on ‘Privacy Rights’ of Deported Migrants: If You Can Post Their Pictures, Why Can’t You Release Their Names?
ABC News’ Rachel Scott pressed White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday over why the administration has not released more information on alleged gang members deported to El Salvador.
Trump called for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg after an order dropped temporarily blocking the president’s deportations under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Chief Justice John Roberts released a rare statement following Trump’s call, saying “impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.”
Leavitt stood firm on Wednesday and argued Trump’s deportations are within his executive authority.
Scott confronted Leavitt about how exactly the administration knows those sent to El Salvador are affiliated with gangs and why they can’t release information on their identities when they are releasing images and videos.
“What exactly are the privacy rights of immigrants who were deported that the administration says were dangerous enough to be sent to El Salvador and sit in a prison?” Scott asked.
Leavitt said she would not “reveal operational details about a counterterrorism operation,” but that the administration has acted with 100% confidence.
Check out the exchange below:
RACHEL SCOTT: Those deportation flights to El Salvador, can the and administration provide any more details on how the authorities determined each of those men were in fact members of a gang? And if the White House can publish images, photos, videos of the men, why can’t the administration release basic information like their identities and names?
KAROLINE LEAVITT: We are not going to reveal operational details about a counterterrorism operation. But what I can assure you, as I said on Monday, we have the highest degree of confidence in our I.C.E. agents and Customs and Border Patrol agents who have committed their lives to targeting illegal criminals in our country, particularly foreign terrorists. And they had great evidence and indication. They have the highest degree of professionalism, and they were 100% confident in the individuals that were sent home on these flights and in the president’s executive authority to do that.
SCOTT: Just a follow-up, the last briefing you cited privacy concerns as a reason why the administration may not be able to reveal the identities. What exactly are the privacy rights of immigrants who were deported that the administration says were dangerous enough to be sent to El Salvador and sit in a prison?
LEAVITT: Again, as I just said, we are not going to reveal the operational details of a counterterrorism operation for quite obvious reasons. We are trying to combat terrorism here in the states of America.
Watch above via Fox News.
