Top Democrat Jamie Raskin Warns Countries Helping Trump: “We Won’t Be Nice When We’re Back in Charge

Rep. Jamie Raskin made it clear that Democrats are keeping track of foreign leaders who support Donald Trump and his hardline immigration policies. He warned that when Democrats regain political power, they won’t forget who helped Trump, especially those who helped him push authoritarian-style decisions in the U.S.

Raskin singled out El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, saying that Democrats should remember which world leaders tried to cozy up to Trump, especially during a potential second term. He told a podcast host that Democrats should take note of anyone who helps Trump act like a dictator — and be ready to take action when they’re back in charge.

This came up after the host mentioned a policy expert who said Democrats should threaten consequences for any country that helps Trump’s administration capture and deport people, including American citizens, in shady ways.

Trump has been using an old law from 1798 — the Alien Enemies Act — to deport suspected gang members without going through the normal legal channels. He’s been sending them to a massive prison in El Salvador. While so far it’s mostly affected undocumented immigrants, Trump has floated the idea of doing the same with violent U.S. citizens.

Raskin agreed that the U.S. should pressure countries like El Salvador and even cut off foreign aid if they help Trump with these deportations. He criticized Bukele for claiming he didn’t have the power to send back a deported man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who had once been protected by a court order due to threats from gangs. Raskin said that since the U.S. pays Bukele millions, he obviously has some power in this situation and shouldn’t pretend otherwise.

Bukele had recently visited Trump at the White House, saying it was impossible for him to return Garcia, which Raskin called nonsense. Garcia, who came to the U.S. illegally in 2011, was deported in March despite past legal protections. The Trump administration first said it was a mistake, but then defended the move, claiming he had gang ties — something his lawyers and family deny.

Raskin said Democrats need to work with their allies in other countries to push back against the spread of chaos and lawlessness that he believes Trump is fueling. He emphasized that it’s time for Democrats to lead a broad, nationwide movement to stop what he sees as a drift toward fascism in the U.S.

He also joked — perhaps only half-seriously — about whether Trump himself, who he called a “convicted criminal,” could ever be sent to a foreign prison. He stressed that the country is in danger of becoming a “gangster state” and that people need to act now to stop that from happening.

He wrapped up his comments by criticizing powerful tech leaders like Elon Musk, accusing them of believing that democracy no longer works and saying that Americans must take action to protect their constitutional system.