The Trump administration this week continued digging in on its claim that symbols tattooed on the fingers of Kilmar Abrego Garcia – a cross, a skull, a smiley face and a marijuana leaf – are proof that the man they wrongly deported to El Salvador is a member of MS-13. But gang experts disagree, telling CNN that the tattoos alone are not proof of membership in the gang. “I see a bunch of symbols that could be interpreted any number of ways,” said Jorja Leap, a University of California, Los Angeles professor who has served as an expert gang witness in court, told CNN. “There is nothing in those tattoos that is definitively gang representative.” As part of its ever-evolving efforts to demonstrate Abrego Garcia’s alleged association with the notorious transnational criminal organization, which the Salvadoran national’s family and attorneys deny, the White House posted a picture on social media earlier this month of President Donald Trump holding a picture of Abrego Garcia’s finger tattoos while seated at his desk in the Oval Office. Above and below the tattoos appeared to be digitally added annotations: Above the cannabis leaf is the letter “M.” Below it is the word “marijuana.” The smiley face is framed by the letter “S” and the word “smile.” The cross lies between the number of “1” and the word “cross,” while the skull is bookended by the number of “3” and word “skull.” Other pictures of Abrego Garcia’s hand show just the symbols are tattooed, without letters, numbers or words. But in his interview with ABC on Tuesday to mark the 100th day of his second term, Trump appeared to indicate that he either didn’t know the picture he held was digitally altered, or didn’t care. “On his knuckles, he had MS-13,” the president told ABC’s Terry Moran. The journalist tried correcting the president. Trump waved the attempt off. “Don’t do that,” Trump interrupted. “It says ‘M, S, 1, 3.’” Trump scoffed when Moran said the letters were photoshopped onto the image. Asked on Wednesday whether it is the White House’s position that those exact numbers and letters are tattooed onto Abrego Garcia’s hand, a spokesperson did not directly answer. “Ask any law or immigration enforcement official who’s been on the ground about Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s tattoos: they’re MS-13,” White House spokesperson Kush Desai said in a statement. But experts with years of experience studying the gang tell CNN they disagree. “These are definitely NOT MS-13 tattoos,” Thomas Ward, a University of Southern California professor who spent years embedded with MS-13 researching the gang, and is the author of an ethnography that studies MS-13, said in an email. “Those tattoos do not prove that he’s a member of MS-13,” said Susan Phillips, a Pitzer College professor who has studied gangs and written a book on gang graffiti. While some gangs will opt for more low-profile or ambiguous means of identifying members to evade detection from law enforcement or rival gang members, MS-13 tattoos, according to Leap, aren’t exactly subtle. They are used to market the gang’s brutality. “MS-13 members have tattoos that say ‘MS-13,’” Leap said. “They’re not head-scratchers; they’re billboards. There’s no ambiguity.” For some members, especially children or teenagers that fall into gang life, the tattoos are used almost as brands to symbolize the gang’s ownership over the person with the ink, she added. “The leadership wanted to be known as this brutal, lethal, take-no-prisoners gang,” she said. “So, the use of tattoos is part of that overall culture of defiance, while other gangs will say, ‘Let’s go more low profile.’” During a 2019 arrest, Abrego Garcia was wearing a Chicago Bulls hat and a hoodie with the motif “see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil,” which the administration said was also indicative of his membership in a gang. Leap said the Bulls hat can carry some gang connotations, but she added: “I can’t emphasize this enough – it is not definitive.” Phillips, the Pitzer College professor, said other contextual information needs to be considered before the tattoos could imply association with or membership of a gang. The fact that Abrego Garcia was a father, actively worked as a day laborer and had no criminal convictions in the United States are all factors that “lead me to believe that this is not an active gang member by any stretch of the imagination.” Tattoos, Phillips said, are “really a public symbol for other gang members to see.” “And so, it’s important that it’s visible and public, and that you can tell at a glance who is what — who might be an enemy, who might be an ally,” she said. “That’s why tattoos are so public. It’s for the purposes of identification within a very dangerous world.” Ward, the USC professor, agreed: “MS gang members are proud of their membership in the gang and don’t want/need to hide it behind some cryptic message,” he wrote. “I think the key thing is that you cannot judge this,” Phillips said. “We cannot be judging this. This should be judged in the court of law here in the United States.” “In this case, the image of Trump with the pictures is more powerful than the meaning of the tattoos itself,” the professor added.
Tattoos on Abrego Garcia’s fingers are not proof he’s a member of MS-13, experts say
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Experts Dispute Administration's Claim Linking Tattoos to MS-13 Membership"
CNN
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TruthLens AI Summary
The Trump administration has reiterated its claim that the tattoos on Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s fingers serve as evidence of his affiliation with the notorious MS-13 gang. These tattoos include symbols such as a cross, a skull, a smiley face, and a marijuana leaf, and the administration has sought to bolster its assertions by sharing images of President Trump holding a photo of those tattoos, complete with digitally added annotations that suggest a direct link to the gang. However, experts in gang culture and symbolism have challenged this interpretation, emphasizing that the tattoos themselves do not provide conclusive proof of gang membership. Jorja Leap, a UCLA professor with extensive experience as a gang expert, stated that the symbols can be interpreted in various ways and lack definitive gang representation. Other scholars, including Thomas Ward and Susan Phillips, echoed this sentiment, arguing that genuine MS-13 tattoos are typically more conspicuous and explicitly branded with the gang's name to signify membership and allegiance.
The debate surrounding Abrego Garcia’s tattoos is further complicated by his background, which includes being a father and a day laborer without any prior criminal convictions in the U.S. Experts caution against jumping to conclusions based solely on tattoos or clothing, such as the Chicago Bulls hat he was wearing during an arrest. They argue that these symbols do not inherently indicate gang involvement and that context is crucial for accurate assessment. The consensus among these experts is that MS-13 members typically display their affiliation more overtly, using tattoos as public markers of identity within the gang. Thus, they contend that the portrayal of Abrego Garcia as an MS-13 member lacks substantiation and should be approached with skepticism, particularly given the potential implications of such accusations. The situation underscores the importance of evidence-based assessments in matters of immigration and criminal justice, as well as the need for a fair evaluation in the courts rather than through media portrayals or political statements.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the controversy surrounding the Trump administration's assertion that the tattoos on Kilmar Abrego Garcia's fingers are indicative of his alleged membership in the MS-13 gang. Experts in gang culture dispute this claim, arguing that the tattoos represent common symbols that do not necessarily correlate with gang affiliation. This dispute raises questions about the motivations behind the administration's persistent efforts to associate Abrego Garcia with MS-13.
Expert Opinions Contradict Claims
The piece includes insights from Jorja Leap, a gang expert from UCLA, who emphasizes that the tattoos lack definitive gang symbolism. This expert testimony serves to undermine the administration's narrative, suggesting that the allegations may be unfounded and driven by a desire to reinforce a particular political agenda.
Political Implications
The strategic use of the tattoo images by the Trump administration, particularly in a social media context, suggests an effort to visually and publicly link Abrego Garcia with MS-13, a move that aligns with broader narratives about crime and immigration that the administration has promoted. This can be seen as an attempt to galvanize support among constituents who may have concerns about immigration and gang violence.
Potential for Manipulation
Manipulation could be at play here, as the administration appears to use emotional imagery and simplified interpretations of complex issues to sway public opinion. The digitally altered images and the president's insistence on their meaning, despite expert pushback, reveal a strategy that prioritizes narrative over factual accuracy. This could be perceived as an attempt to mask deeper issues within immigration policy or to distract from other political challenges faced by the administration.
Public Perception
The article aims to challenge the narrative that tattoos can be a straightforward indicator of gang affiliation, thereby seeking to clarify misconceptions within the public discourse. By presenting expert opinions, it attempts to shift the conversation away from fear-based associations and towards a more nuanced understanding of symbols and their meanings.
Connection to Broader Themes
When compared to other news articles discussing immigration and crime, this piece fits into a larger pattern of reporting that scrutinizes the rhetoric used by political figures. It reflects ongoing societal debates about immigration and crime, especially as they relate to the Latino community. This narrative is crucial in a political climate where immigration is a hot-button issue.
Community Response
The article may resonate more with communities that prioritize evidence-based discussions about crime and immigration rather than sensationalist narratives. Those who value expert opinions over political rhetoric might find this article appealing as it challenges the simplistic associations often made by the government.
Market and Economic Impact
While this specific article may not directly influence stock markets or global economic trends, the broader implications of immigration policy and crime narratives can affect sectors such as security, law enforcement, and immigration services. Changes in public perception can impact political stability, which in turn may affect markets tied to government contracts or immigration-related businesses.
The article is credible as it presents a counter-narrative supported by experts, thus fostering a more informed public discussion. The reliance on factual rebuttals to political claims enhances its reliability, making it a significant piece in the ongoing dialogue about immigration, crime, and public perception.