In a fiery interview with ABC News, President Donald Trump doubled down on his controversial claim that Gilmar Abrego Garcia, a man his administration mistakenly deported to El Salvador, has MS-13 tattoos. Despite mounting skepticism from experts and the public, Trump insisted that the tattoos were genuine, asserting they were not digitally altered as many contend. The explosive exchange unfolded on Tuesday, raising tensions surrounding immigration policy and the administration’s handling of gang affiliations.

During the heated dialogue, Trump confronted journalist Terry Morgan, firmly maintaining that Abrego Garcia bore the MS-13 mark on his knuckles. “He had MS-13 tattooed. We’ll agree to disagree,” Trump stated, dismissing Morgan’s attempts to clarify the situation. The president referenced a photo shared by the White House earlier this year, which purportedly showed the tattoos—symbols deemed by Trump’s team to be linked to gang culture. However, experts have refuted this assertion, suggesting that while the tattoos may have ambiguous connotations, they do not definitively indicate gang membership.

The controversy intensified as Abrego Garcia’s background came under scrutiny. Deported in March, he was accused of MS-13 ties despite having no criminal record, and a Supreme Court ruling has since mandated his return to the U.S. after determining he faced potential persecution in El Salvador. Trump, while acknowledging the court’s order, expressed a reluctance to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return, labeling him a “tough cookie” with a troubled history.

The stakes are high as this narrative unfolds, casting a spotlight on the complexities of immigration enforcement and the ramifications of labeling individuals based on alleged affiliations. As the nation watches, the question remains: how will this declaration impact ongoing discussions surrounding immigration policy and the treatment of deported individuals? The debate is far from over, and the urgency of the situation is palpable.