{"id":2434600,"date":"2025-05-14T12:57:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T16:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/noem-refuses-to-answer-whether-picture-of-kilmar-abrego-garcia-was-doctored\/"},"modified":"2025-05-14T12:58:53","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T16:58:53","slug":"noem-refuses-to-answer-whether-picture-of-kilmar-abrego-garcia-was-doctored","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/noem-refuses-to-answer-whether-picture-of-kilmar-abrego-garcia-was-doctored\/","title":{"rendered":"Noem refuses to answer whether picture of Kilmar Abrego Garcia was doctored"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnoem-refuses-to-answer-whether-picture-of-kilmar-abrego-garcia-was-doctored%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2434600&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>In a recent House Homeland Security Commitee hearing,Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem was questioned by Rep. Eric Swalwell regarding a photo of Kilmar Abrego Garcia,which was used by former President Donald Trump to suggest that Abrego Garcia is affiliated with the violent MS-13 gang. During the exchange, swalwell pressed Noem to confirm whether the photo had been altered, but she refused to provide a clear answer. Despite Swalwell showing a blown-up version of the photo, Noem maintained that she lacked knowledge about its authenticity. The image in question allegedly featured <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fact-check-no-this-is-not-matt-gaetzs-actual-senior-photo-from-high-school\/\" title=\"FACT CHECK: No, This Is Not Matt Gaetz\u2019s Actual Senior Photo From High School\">digitally added<\/a> elements indicating gang affiliation, which many observers interpreted as misleading. Abrego Garcia, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2011 but was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kendall-jenner-granted-three-year-restraining-order-against-another-alleged-trespasser-report\/\" title=\"Kendall Jenner Granted Three-Year Restraining Order Against Another Alleged Trespasser: Report\">granted legal protection<\/a> from deportation due to threats from rival gangs, has been a subject of controversy as the Trump administration reaffirms his supposed gang ties, a claim that his lawyers firmly deny.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Noem refuses to answer whether picture of Kilmar Abrego Garcia was doctored<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2089620\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Homeland Security Secretary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kristi-noem\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Kristi Noem\">Kristi Noem<\/a> repeatedly refused to answer on Wednesday whether a photo of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3409884\/trump-kilmar-abrego-garcia-lawyers-cite-interview-evidence-return-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Kilmar Abrego Garcia\">Kilmar Abrego Garcia<\/a>, which was used by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"President Donald Trump\">President Donald Trump<\/a> to claim Abrego Garcia was a member of the MS-13 gang, was doctored.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Noem and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/eric-swalwell\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Rep. Eric Swalwell\">Rep. Eric Swalwell<\/a> (D-CA) got into a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Acyn\/status\/1922669118232113388\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"heated exchange about the picture\">heated exchange about the picture<\/a> during her testimony before the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=syESsfBR5H0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"House Homeland Security Committee\">House Homeland Security Committee<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3410416\/blake-moore-asleep-ways-and-means-tax-legislation\/\">Blake Moore falls asleep during marathon meeting on &#8216;big, beautiful bill&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3410314\/jared-moskowitz-doge-caucus-dead\/\">Jared Moskowitz declares DOGE caucus &lsquo;dead&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3410390\/watch-live-transportation-secretary-sean-duffy-testifies-on-the-budget\/\">WATCH LIVE: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy testifies on the budget&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Madam Secretary, I have a 7-year-old, a 6-year-old, and 3-year-old,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I have a bulls*** detector. I&rsquo;m just asking you, is this doctored or not doctored?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Noem tried to explain the protocols of deportation but was interrupted by Swalwell, who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fbi-report-warned-of-extremist-plot-to-attack-congress-on-january-6-but-capitol-security-was-not-increased-to-meet-threat\/\" title=\"FBI Report Warned of Extremist Plot to Attack Congress on January 6, But Capitol Security Was Not Increased to Meet Threat\">repeatedly asked<\/a>, &ldquo;Can you just answer the question?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Noem replied, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t have any knowledge as to that photo you are pointing to.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem takes her seat as she arrives for a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing on fiscal 2026 budget requests, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, May 14, 2025. (Photo by Jim WATSON \/ AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Swalwell asked a member of his staff to bring the photo, which had been blown up to poster size, to Noem, who refused to look at it.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Are you saying Abrego Garcia is not a wife-beater, that he&rsquo;s not a criminal, that he&rsquo;s not a human trafficker, he&rsquo;s not a member of MS-13?&rdquo; Noem asked.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It is so telling that you will not look at the photo. Was it doctored or not? Can you look to the right?&rdquo; Swalwell later said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We will not be bringing him back,&rdquo; Noem responded.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Can you look to the right at the photo in front of you?&rdquo; Swalwell asked.<\/p>\n<p>Noem said she had seen the photo because &ldquo;you held it behind your head.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Swalwell again asked, &ldquo;The letters MS and the numbers 13, are those doctored or not?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Noem responded, &ldquo;Is this how you want to spend your testimony today, talking about whether a photo was doctored or not?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The photo in question is of Abrego Garcia&rsquo;s left hand. Trump has alleged that Abrego Garcia &ldquo;had &lsquo;MS-13&rsquo; tattooed onto his knuckles.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The image shows the characters &ldquo;M,&rdquo; &ldquo;S,&rdquo; &ldquo;1,&rdquo; and &ldquo;3&rdquo; digitally added above Abrego Garcia&rsquo;s existing tattoos &mdash; a leaf, a smiley face, a cross, and a skull &mdash; along with labels describing each symbol beneath.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Many people&nbsp;recognized the labels as digitally added and alleged they were designed to appear as part of Abrego Garcia&rsquo;s actual tattoos. They accused the Trump administration of trying to mislead the public.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3409884\/trump-kilmar-abrego-garcia-lawyers-cite-interview-evidence-return-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"TRUMP INTERVIEW CITED AS EVIDENCE BY ABREGO GARCIA LAWYERS SEEKING MIGRANT'S RETURN TO US\">TRUMP INTERVIEW CITED AS EVIDENCE BY ABREGO GARCIA LAWYERS SEEKING MIGRANT&rsquo;S RETURN TO US<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Abrego Garcia <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3382395\/dhs-publicly-releases-restraining-order-against-kilmar-abrego-garcia-history-of-violence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">entered the United States illegally in 2011<\/a>. He was granted a form of legal protection from deportation to El Salvador in 2019 due to threats from Barrio 18, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ms-13-gang-members-using-migrant-caravans-to-sneak-into-u-s-report\/\" title=\"... Members Using Migrant Caravans To Sneak Into U.S.: Report\">rival gang<\/a> to MS-13. In March, the Trump administration admitted Abrego Garcia had been mistakenly included in a group of migrants deported to the infamous Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador. He has since been moved to a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >lower-security facility<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Trump administration has stood firm and continues to claim Abrego Garcia was a member of MS-13, which the U.S. designated as a terrorist organization. Abrego Garcia&rsquo;s attorneys vehemently deny the allegations and have fought to bring him back to the U.S.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2089620\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2089620\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Noem dodges questions about photo of Kilmar Abrego Garcia<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2434601,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Noem-hearing-may-14.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[50410,55235,53300,8794,32603],"class_list":["post-2434600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-controversy-2","tag-doctored-photo","tag-kilmar-abrego-garcia","tag-noem","tag-political-news"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Noem-hearing-may-14.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2434600","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2434600"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2434600\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2434604,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2434600\/revisions\/2434604"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2434601"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2434600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2434600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2434600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}