In the weeks since Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s mistaken deportation to El Salvador, the federal government and his family have presented divergent portraits of the man who has become the face of President Donald Trump’s crackdown against immigration.

Trump’s comments undermined previous statements by his top aides and were a blunt sign of his administration’s intention to double down and defy the courts.

President Donald Trump said in an interview with ABC News that he "could" have Kilmar Abrego Garcia returned to the United States with one phone call, even though the administration has argued in court that the government has no ability to get him back.