Speaking on CNN, Elleithee cautioned Democrats not to make Garcia a “martyr,” urging instead a focus on broader civil liberties concerns.
His comments followed Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s visit to El Salvador, where he met Garcia in a high-security prison and pledged to fight for his release. Elleithee questioned whether Van Hollen’s support would resonate with the public, advising the party to emphasize constitutional rights over defending one controversial figure.
He argued that highlighting the Trump administration’s alleged erosion of civil liberties would be more effective politically, stressing, “It’s less about him—it’s about all of us.”
