Van Hollen, 66, got his start in politics as a staffer for former Maryland U.S. Sen. Charles Mathias in the 1980s, going on to staff the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and, later, Maryland Gov. William Donald Schaefer.

Appearing emotional and tired, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen arrived back in the U.S. Friday, revealing details from his meeting with Abrego Garcia in El Salvador.

Trump and his allies said the Maryland senator’s visit with the illegally deported Salvadoran native was playing into the administration’s hands.