Maryland Democrats said he regretted voting for Rubio as chief diplomatic adviser to President Donald Trump, and he regretted Rubio's vote at a Senate hearing.
Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the State Department’s Budget Proposal Committee when Van Hollen used time to tear up the State Department to revoke his visa and found that his visa had been found to damage the university campus or commit violence.
“Your fear and repression movement is eating up the basic values of our democracy,” Van Hollen said, likening Rubio to Senator Joseph McCarthy. He added: “I have to tell you directly that I regret to vote for the Secretary of State.”
Rubio replied, “First of all, the regret you voted for me confirms that I did a good job.”
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified at a Senate diplomatic relations hearing to review the president's proposed budget request for the 2026 Treasury Department on Tuesday, May 20, 2026 at Capitol Hill, Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Mr. Secretary: “This is just a frivolous statement,” Van Horen opened back.
R-Idaho committee chairman Jim Risch interjected, asking Van Hollen to let Rubio respond to his claims without interruption. When Van Hollen asked if he could respond to Rubio, Risch said: “Mr. Sen., your time has come, I might add.”
Senator Chris Van Hollen, D-MD. Responded while speaking with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a Senate Foreign Relations hearing on Tuesday. (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)
Rubio continued, saying in the case of El Salvador: “We expel gang members…including those you’re with Margarita,” Van Hollen’s visit to El Salvador’s “Marylander” Kilma Abreg Garcia (Maryland Man). “That guy is a human trafficker, that guy is a fanatic, and the evidence will be clear in the days to come.”
Van Hollen then jumped in and shouted to the chairman that Rubio “can't make such a comment”.
“Secretary Rubio should bring this testimony to the U.S. Federal Court because he did not do it under oath,” Van Hollen said before Risch hit the gavel.
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Rubio continued: “With student visas, let me say that. I will not expel anyone, nor will I take anyone away. The State Department has no officials robbed everyone on the street. What I have to do is revoke the visa. It's simple. A visa is not a right. It's an honor.”
Senator Chris Van Hollen had a fierce exchange with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a hearing on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday. (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)
He continued: “People apply for student visas to enter the United States and study. If you told me you were going to the United States to lead the campus crusade, take over the libraries, and try to burn buildings and act violently, then we wouldn't give you a visa.”
Van Hollen shot at that Rubio, “just blow smoke here now.”
Rubio replied: “The most important thing is that if you come here to stir up trouble on our campus, we will deny your visa. If you have a visa and we find you, we will revoke it.”
Rubio said the Trump administration will continue to revoke visas for those who act as guests and destroy university campuses.
Senior State Department officials responded to the exchange in a statement to Fox News Digital.
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“Again, Senator Van Hollen proves that he cares more about illegal immigration than his own voters,” said senior State Department official.
