Trump says he 'could' bring deported El Salvadoran Abrego Garcia back to U.S.

President Trump said that he "could" bring deported El Salvadoran Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the U.S. but that he illegally entered the country and is an MS-13 gang member.

In an ABC News interview aired Tuesday, for Trump's 100th day in office, senior national correspondent Terry Moran asked Trump about Abrego Garcia, whose deportation last month from Maryland is facing legal challenges.

“Now the Supreme Court has upheld an order that you must return him – facilitate his return to the United States. What are you doing to comply?” Moran asked.

Trump argued the now-fired federal prosecutor who said in court documents that Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported was incorrect.

"Well, the lawyer that said it was a mistake was here a long time, was not appointed by us – should not have said that, should not have said that," Trump said.

He also said Abrego Garcia is "an MS-13 gang member, a tough cookie, been in lots of skirmishes, beat the hell out of his wife, and the wife was petrified to even talk about him, OK? This is not an innocent, wonderful gentleman from Maryland."

Moran replied he wasn't saying Abrego Garcia is "a good guy" but that "it's about the rule of law" and the U.S. Supreme Court order stands, referring to Abrego Garcia not getting a deportation hearing.

"He came into our country illegally,” Trump said.

“You could get him back. There's a phone on this desk,” Moran said, pointing to the phone on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.

“I could,” Trump said. “And if he were the gentleman that you say he is, I would do that. But he is not.”

He continued: “I'm not the one making this decision. We have lawyers who don't want to do this. ... I follow the law. You want me to follow the law. If I were the president that just wanted to do anything, I'd probably keep him right where he is."

According to records released by Attorney General Pam Bondi, Abrego Garcia admitted to authorities in 2019, when he was first detained, that he entered the U.S. illegally and had no basis for seeking asylum.

The Trump administration further argues he was lawfully deported under two prior court orders.

Prince George County, Md., police tied Abrego Garcia to the MS-13 gang, which has been designated by Trump as a foreign terrorist organization.