'I'm all for it': Trump would 'love' to send American citizens to El Salvador prison

President Donald Trump declared his willingness to send American citizens to a notorious prison in El Salvador where his administration has sent alleged gang members.

The president has cut a deal with that nation's president, Nayib Bukele, to send suspect gang members who were deported from the U.S., and he told reporters Sunday evening on Air Force One that he was receptive to an invitation to send additional detainees there – including American citizens.

"I love that," Trump said. "If we could take some of our 20 time wise guys that push people into subways and hit people over the back of the head and purposely run people over in cars, if he would take them, I would be honored to give them.

“I don't know what the law says on that," he added. "I'm all for it. If they can house these horrible criminals for a lot less money than it costs us, I’m all for it.”

READ ALSO: 'Your question is so stupid' Trump snaps when asked how much economic pain he'd tolerate

The administration sent three planes filled with Salvadoran and Venezuelan deportees to a "Terrorism Confinement Center," claiming without evidence they were all members of the Tren de Aragua gang.

However, U.S. District judge James E. Boasberg issued an order temporarily blocking the government from using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act while their actions were challenged in the courts, and Trump's statements caused alarm.

"He wants to send American citizens to a foreign gulag," posted podcaster Jon Favreau, a former speechwriter for Barack Obama.

"Real talk for a minute," said Stephanie Slade, senior editor for Reason. "I've been having some fun on this site over the last few days, but I sincerely believe this is an even bigger deal than what's that's happening with the markets, and Americans ignore it at our existential peril."

U.S. District judge Paula Xinis issued a scathing opinion against the Trump administration Sunday after officials admitted to mistakenly deporting a man living legally in the U.S. to the prison and demanded they bring him back, but Trump officials argue they lack the authority to remove him from the El Salvador facility.

"A reminder: the Trump administration has revealed NO DETAILS of the pact with El Salvador," posted Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow with the American Immigration Council. "We literally know nothing about it, other than we're paying them $6 million. No law in the United States authorizes us to pay another country to imprison people. And yet! They're doing it."

- YouTubeyoutu.be