Trump's MS-13 Crackdown: A Deal with the Devil?

The Trump administration's highly publicized vow to dismantle the notorious MS-13 gang has taken a surprising and potentially damaging turn. A recent investigation by The New York Times reveals a complex deal with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele that, while seemingly aimed at bolstering deportation efforts, may actually undermine the U.S.'s long-standing fight against the gang.

The core of the issue lies in an agreement struck earlier this year. Bukele agreed to accept over **200 migrants expelled from the United States** into a specially constructed prison for terrorists. In return, the United States offered a significant financial package to El Salvador, further sweetened by an unexpected concession: **the return of key MS-13 leaders held in American custody.**

While officials from both countries maintain that these gang leaders are being sent back to face justice, a deeper investigation suggests a more troubling motive for Bukele's request. The U.S. has amassed substantial evidence pointing to a corrupt pact between the Salvadoran government and high-ranking MS-13 figures. This alleged agreement involved:

• MS-13 driving down violence in El Salvador.
• MS-13 providing political support to Bukele.
• In exchange, MS-13 members received cash and preferential treatment in prison.

This revelation casts a dark shadow on the deal, raising serious questions about its true purpose and potential consequences.

According to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the initiative, this agreement, touted by Trump as a crackdown on crime, is actively jeopardizing a long-standing U.S. inquiry into MS-13. Here's how:

• Two major ongoing cases against high-ranking MS-13 leaders could be severely damaged.
• Other defendants may be less likely to cooperate or testify in court, hindering future prosecutions.

The situation presents a direct conflict with the Trump administration's stated goals. Attorney General Pam Bondi even issued an internal memo earlier this year calling for the “total elimination” of MS-13, which the White House has designated as a foreign terrorist organization.

The implications of this deal are far-reaching. It not only raises questions about the integrity of U.S. foreign policy but also jeopardizes years of investigative work aimed at dismantling one of the most dangerous gangs in the world. The pursuit of short-term deportation goals appears to have come at the expense of a long-term strategy to combat transnational crime, potentially empowering the very organization the administration claims to be fighting. This complex situation highlights the intricate web of international relations and the difficult choices involved in combating global threats.

Tags: El Salvador, Trump, Bukele, MS-13, Gang, Corruption, US Politics, Deportation, Migrants, Violence

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/us/politics/trump-bukele-ms-13-immigrants.html