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.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he could help return an El Salvadoran man mistakenly deported from Maryland but would not despite court-ordered action, in contrast to his administration's arguments that only El Salvador can act.

El Salvador is only detaining an El Salvadoran man mistakenly deported from Maryland because the country is receiving U.S. payments, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen said in letter to the White House on Tuesday.