U.S. Representative Riley Moore of West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District is facing intense criticism after sharing photos and comments from a recent visit to El Salvador’s controversial CECOT prison.
On Tuesday, Moore—a Republican and outspoken ally of former President Donald Trump—posted about his trip to the high-security facility, known for housing some of the most dangerous criminals in Central America. The prison has drawn global attention amid debates over deportation policies, especially in light of recent reports that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man wrongly deported due to an administrative mistake, is now being held there.
“I just toured the CECOT prison in El Salvador. This maximum security facility houses the country’s most brutal criminals, including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, and terrorists. Several inmates were extremely violent criminals recently deported from the U.S.,” Moore wrote. “I leave now even more determined to support President Trump’s efforts to secure our homeland.”
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The congressman’s social media post included several images of himself at the prison, including two where he is standing in front of inmates inside their cells. The photos quickly sparked a wave of public reaction, with thousands of comments calling the images “disturbing,” “insensitive,” and “exploitative.”
Moore did not clarify the specific purpose of his visit but emphasized his support for stricter immigration enforcement and Trump’s controversial proposal to send violent offenders, including some U.S. citizens, to foreign prisons like CECOT.
He’s not the only U.S. lawmaker to show interest in the facility. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, is also scheduled to tour the prison, adding to the growing political focus on the issue.
As of Wednesday morning, Moore had not issued a follow-up statement regarding the backlash or his visit to El Salvador .