President Donald Trump welcomed El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele to the White House today, praising their partnership to lock up violent criminals and secure American streets. The two leaders discussed efforts to deport dangerous gang members and repeat offenders to El Salvador’s mega-prison, a move Trump called “common sense” for U.S. safety and taxpayers.
Bukele’s tough approach to crime has turned El Salvador from one of the world’s deadliest countries into a safer nation. Homicides dropped by over 90% under his leadership, and the U.S. State Department recently upgraded El Salvador’s travel safety rating. Trump applauded Bukele’s success, saying, “He’s taking care of problems we couldn’t fix ourselves without spending a fortune.”
The U.S. has already sent hundreds of alleged Venezuelan and Salvadoran gang members to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). Trump praised the prison as a necessary solution for “the worst people on Earth” who shouldn’t be in America. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the partnership a model for “security and prosperity” in the region.
Critics claim the deportations lack due process, but Trump dismissed these concerns. “I don’t see human rights abuses there,” he said, emphasizing that violent criminals forfeit their rights. Bukele’s government has arrested over 85,000 suspects since 2022, with broad public support in El Salvador.
Trump floated the idea of sending U.S. citizens convicted of serious crimes to CECOT, calling it a way to “clean up our streets.” While legal experts argue this could be unconstitutional, Trump said he’s “transparently exploring options” to protect Americans.
The collaboration has saved U.S. taxpayers millions. Instead of housing criminals in American prisons, El Salvador charges $6 million annually to imprison deportees. “Why should we foot the bill when our allies can handle it better?” Trump asked.
Bukele’s visit strengthens a key MAGA alliance. Trump Jr. attended his 2024 inauguration, and Rubio has called El Salvador “100% willing” to support U.S. priorities. This partnership signals a shift toward leaders who prioritize action over bureaucracy, Trump said.
As the meeting wrapped up, Trump thanked Bukele for his “strong leadership” and joked, “We appreciate you helping us take out the trash.” With crime rates dropping and deportation flights continuing, both leaders say this is just the start of their mission to restore law and order.
