Stephen A. Smith Goes Ballistic on DeMS-13 Senator Van Hollen [WATCH]

ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith criticized Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland on Wednesday for his public regret over confirming Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The dispute stems from Rubio’s role in the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant and confirmed gang member accused of multiple violent offenses.

Van Hollen told Rubio during a hearing that he regretted supporting his nomination, accusing the Secretary of State of violating due process rights in ordering Garcia’s removal.

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In response, Smith addressed the controversy on his program, The Stephen A. Smith Show, rejecting Van Hollen’s claims and defending Rubio’s qualifications and record.

“We have to understand that Marco Rubio is officially one of the most powerful people in America,” Smith said.

“Overseeing not just our country, not just in terms of Secretary of State, but national security. This man is an incredibly influential individual.”

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Smith, who is known for weighing in on political issues in addition to sports, expressed disbelief that Rubio’s qualifications were being questioned.

“Are we going to sit here and question the qualifications of Marco Rubio, who has been a senator for years, who is a former presidential candidate, who got reelected in the state of Florida?” he asked.

Rubio was confirmed as Secretary of State in early 2025 following President Donald Trump’s reelection.

He previously served as a U.S. Senator from Florida and was a Republican candidate for president in 2016.

“He’s not unqualified. He’s not incoherent. He’s not inarticulate. He’s not devoid of intelligence,” Smith said.

“He certainly isn’t absent or oblivious to an understanding of policies that affect the United States of America.”

Turning his attention to Van Hollen, Smith said the senator’s criticism of Rubio reflected poorly on Democratic priorities.

“Last time I checked, Senator Chris Van Hollen — he’s not there to agree with you or to be agreeable to you!” Smith added.

“Their administration won! The Democrats lost because you were focused on things not like this! You were focused on other stuff in an effort to win an election! And as a result, it cost you.”

The controversy revolves around the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador with confirmed links to the MS-13 gang.

Garcia was first flagged by U.S. authorities in 2019 after he was seen loitering in a Home Depot parking lot wearing clothing associated with MS-13.

That same year, the Board of Immigration Appeals upheld an immigration judge’s finding that Garcia was a “verified member” of the gang, according to the Department of Justice.

In 2021, Garcia’s wife accused him of violent domestic abuse, alleging he physically assaulted her, ripped off her clothes, and caused bleeding by smashing her laptop.

Then in 2022, Garcia was again detained after authorities suspected him of human trafficking when he was found transporting eight undocumented individuals in a vehicle linked to a convicted smuggler.

Despite this background, Van Hollen claimed during a hearing that Garcia was denied appropriate legal process and expressed regret for voting to confirm Rubio as Secretary of State.

The exchange has reignited broader debates over immigration enforcement, gang activity, and executive authority.

Rubio has not issued a direct response to Van Hollen’s remarks but has defended the deportation decision as a lawful and necessary action to protect public safety.

As the Biden-era immigration policies continue to face scrutiny, the Trump administration has prioritized stricter enforcement and deportation actions—particularly targeting gang-affiliated individuals.

Smith’s defense of Rubio highlights growing public support for those efforts across political lines, including from figures not typically aligned with Republican leadership.

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