The Trump administration released evidence of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's violent history and MS-13 ties after an outcry among Democrats over the alleged gang member's deportation to his native El Salvador.

Mainstream media have portrayed Garcia, an illegal alien from El Salvador, as an innocent father or "Maryland Man," but proof of his gang affiliation was enough to convince immigration judges that he posed a danger to the community.

Attorney General Pam Bondi released the files, 13 pages of police and immigration records dating to Garcia's arrest in 2019 outside of a Home Depot.

MS-13 evidence released

Police in Prince George's County, Maryland found Garcia loitering with three individuals, two of whom were known MS-13 gang members.

As officers approached the group, they saw the individuals discard unknown items under a parked vehicle. Police later found two bottles of marijuana at the scene. The men all "freely admitted" to being citizens of El Salvador who were living in the United States illegally.

Deputies immediately recognized one of the men as an MS-13 member, "Bimbo," who had a past gang conviction and an "extensive criminal history for multiple assault, concealing dangerous weapon, burglary and many other criminal offences."

Officers also identified gang symbols in Garcia's clothing. He wore a Chicago Bulls hat and a hoodie with rolls of money over the eyes, ears, and mouth of U.S. presidents, signifying the motto "see no evil, hear no evil and say no evil."

A trusted informant identified Garcia as an active member of the Westerns clique with the rank "Chequeo" and the moniker "Chele."

"Maryland man" or wife beater?

Following his arrest, Garcia was placed into removal proceedings. An immigration judge denied his request for bond, finding the evidence of his gang membership was reliable, and the determination was upheld on appeal.

Garcia also failed to obtain asylum, but an immigration judge granted him a "withholding of removal" barring his deportation to El Salvador over fears of persecution by Barrio 18, an MS-13 rival. The Supreme Court has ordered Trump to "facilitate" Garcia's return to the U.S, but the Trump administration has responded with defiance, and the president of El Salvador has refused to send him back.

The Department of Homeland Security released more evidence Wednesday challenging the media's benign image of the "Maryland man": a 2021 protective order sought by Garcia's American wife, who accused him of beating her.

“At this point, I am afraid to be close to him. I have multiple photos/videos of how violent he can be and all the bruises he (has) left me," she wrote in court documents at the time.

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, of Maryland, traveled to El Salvador on Wednesday to see Garcia, who is being held in a notorious prison, but the senator was denied entry.

Some argue that Democrats are making a political misstep by rushing to defend Garcia, who is clearly not the role model they have made him out to be.