Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) grilled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about whether President Donald Trump had lied when he claimed "MS-13" gang symbols were on a deported man's hand.
During a Wednesday House Homeland Security hearing, Swalwell pointed out that Trump had displayed a photo of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's hand with "MS13" on it.
"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," Swalwell said. "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 insisted that Garcia was not deported because of the tattoos.
"For the purpose of this question, you agree, though, that this is doctored, is that right?" Swalwell pressed. "Is this doctored or is it not doctored?"
The secretary, however, repeatedly deflected.
"Madam Secretary, I have a seven-year-old, a six-year-old, and a three-year-old," the lawmaker shot back. "I have a bulls--- detector. I'm just asking you, is this doctored or not doctored?"
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"I don't have any knowledge of that photo you're pointing to," Noem protested.
"My question is the numbers and the letter MS-13. Could you look at the photo, please? It's right in front of you," Swalwell said.
"This is unbelievable to me that you're focused on a photo," Noem gasped.
"It's unbelievable to me that you can't look at the photo and tell the American people," Swalwell replied. "What have you done to investigate whether the president misrepresented the reason that that person has been detained? Have you done any? Anything to try and figure out whether that was doctored or not?"
"The mission of the Department of Homeland Security is to secure our nation and to make sure that we're out there going after those that are the worst of the worst," Noem stated.
"The answer is you've done nothing to correct the president," Swalwell concluded.
Watch the video below from the House Homeland Security Committee or click here.
