West Virginia Congressman Riley Moore (R-2nd District) is facing fierce backlash after sharing photos from a controversial trip to a prison in El Salvador.
On Tuesday, Moore, a strong ally of former President Donald Trump, posted images from inside the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a maximum-security facility known for its tough conditions and recent headlines involving deportation issues.
CECOT has drawn international attention after Kilmar Abrego Garcia — a man deported to El Salvador due to a reported “administrative error” — was imprisoned there. In light of this, Trump has floated the idea of sending violent U.S. offenders to the prison as part of his broader immigration and crime policies.
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Moore’s post, which featured photos of him standing before rows of inmates, declared his renewed commitment to “support President Trump’s efforts to secure our homeland.” However, the social media response was swift and scathing, with thousands criticizing the images as “disturbing,” “distasteful,” and “trash publicity.”
Many commenters questioned the decision to pose for photos in front of prisoners, accusing Moore of exploiting the situation for political points. As of Wednesday morning, Moore has not offered any further explanation for the visit or addressed the criticism.
Moore is not alone in visiting CECOT. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) was also scheduled to tour the facility on Wednesday, though his purpose for the visit is not yet clear.
The controversy continues to stir debate over the role of U.S. politicians in international criminal justice issues — and the optics of how they engage with them.