Congressional Democrats just got a devastating new nickname after rushing to defend criminal illegals from deportation — “Congressional MS-13 Caucus,” as Republican rivals have dubbed the “woke” Democrats.
And it appears to be resonating with voters. Approval ratings for Democrats in Congress among voters have continued to plummet three months into President Donald Trump’s second term.
House Republicans officially unveiled the latest nickname on social media Tuesday, targeting Democratic lawmakers who have advocated for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadoran-born illegal immigrant and violent gang member who was deported by the Trump administration last month.
“The Congressional MS-13 Caucus just held their first townhall!” the House GOP account posted alongside images of Democratic representatives who traveled to El Salvador seeking his release.
The Congressional MS-13 Caucus just held their first townhall! https://t.co/KgTzf5Bl2B pic.twitter.com/9YERZnQJn6
— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) April 22, 2025
The controversial case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing immigration debate, with Senator Chris Van Hollen, D-M.D., and four House Democrats facing intense criticism for their efforts to secure Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States, where the administration alleges he has deep MS-13 gang ties.
The Republican attacks come as polling shows Democratic congressional approval ratings hitting historic lows.
According to the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics Youth Poll released Wednesday, approval for congressional Democrats among Americans aged 18-29 has plummeted to just 23%, down from 42% in spring 2017.
“In that same period, approval of Congressional Republicans has held steady, inching up slightly from 28% to 29%,” the Harvard poll notes.
This trend extends beyond young voters.
A recent Gallup poll conducted earlier this month found confidence in Democratic congressional leadership at a record-low 25%, driven by a 41-point drop among Democratic voters themselves. Additional surveys from Quinnipiac University, CNN, and NBC News have similarly shown the Democratic Party’s favorable ratings reaching all-time lows.
The Abrego Garcia case has put Democrats in a difficult position.
Van Hollen described the deported man as a “constituent” deserving of due process, which generated significant backlash when photos surfaced showing him drinking margaritas with Abrego Garcia. The incident drew particular criticism from Patty Morin, whose daughter Rachel was murdered in Maryland in 2023 allegedly by another undocumented immigrant from El Salvador.
“[Van Hollen] did not call our family. He did not give condolences. There was no action on the Democratic Party in any way,” Morin said in a recent interview, underscoring the emotional and political complexity of the issue.
Republican strategists see the Democrats’ approach to illegal immigration as a huge opportunity.
“They continue to believe this is a winning issue despite the horrible optics,” one conservative commentator wrote.