Dr. Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism, clashed with Politico during the outlet’s Security Summit on Thursday, challenging what he described as media misrepresentation of criminal illegal aliens and gang-affiliated individuals.

The confrontation unfolded during an on-stage interview with Politico reporter Dasha Burns, who raised concerns about “due process” rights for individuals suspected of gang affiliation, including those associated with groups such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua (TdA).

Burns referenced challenges in verifying affiliations with transnational gangs, suggesting, “the evidence in identifying such individuals as members of violent gangs like Tren de Aragua and La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) is tricky,” and that those facing such accusations should be afforded due process.

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

MORE NEWS: ‘Shitlib’ Protests Hurt the Very People They Claim to Protect

Gorka pushed back forcefully, specifically highlighting the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an MS-13 gang member who had been referred to by several media outlets as a “Maryland father,” despite allegations of domestic abuse and human trafficking.

“Why are you talking as if these people are U.S. citizens?” Gorka asked.

“So, you’re defending members of FTOs [Foreign Terrorist Organizations]. What you’re doing right now is, you’re saying designated terrorists should have the rights of somebody who’s in a contractual dispute with their neighbor.”

Gorka pointed to photographs of Abrego Garcia displaying hand tattoos with symbols that he said clearly indicated “M-S-1-3.”

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Do you think President Trump's decision to send troops to LA to control the riots was a good idea?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

“He literally branded himself a member of the gang, and the media responded, ‘Well, it doesn’t literally spell it out for us,’” Gorka stated.

Burns responded, “The tattoo did not say MS-13, I don’t want to get into that,” at which point Gorka escalated his criticism of the media outlet hosting the event.

“This is why Politico is a joke. This is why you are gutter press and fake news,” Gorka said.

“That those four symbols that just happen to comport with the letters MS and the numbers 13 don’t, in this case, represent MS-13.”

MORE NEWS: Based Florida Sheriff Issues ‘Graveyard Dead’ Warning to Potential Rioters [WATCH]

“You’re sitting here live, defending a member of MS-13. That’s why I regret coming here, because this isn’t journalism, this is protecting those who hate America. Shame on you!”

Gorka then referenced multiple cases of violent crimes against women and children, including the murder of Rachel Morin, a mother of five, and the killing of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray.

“How about Maryland fathers compared to Maryland mothers?” he said.

“Like Rachel Morin, mother of five, raped and murdered and thrown in a ditch.”

“How about Jocelyn Nungaray? Aged 12, raped a mile from her home and thrown in a ditch. It’s strange that Politico doesn’t do articles about her. That mother or that 12-year-old girl,” he added.

“Why is that?”

Gorka concluded by questioning the media’s priorities in covering stories involving accused gang members over victims of violent crime.

“Why is the MS-13 guy with the knuckle tattoos more important in terms of due process than the lives of 12-year-old girls brutally raped?” Gorka said.

“It’s weird that the priorities shift to defending the member of an FTO, but not the children and the women.”

MORE NEWS: Chicago Mayor Tells City to ‘Resist’ Illegal Immigration Enforcement, 17 Arrested [WATCH]

The full exchange lasted approximately 28 minutes.

Burns concluded the session by thanking Dr. Gorka for the “lively discussion,” and the two exited the stage.

The summit appearance marks another high-profile moment in the Trump administration’s ongoing push for stricter border security, stronger enforcement of immigration laws, and a firm stance against transnational criminal organizations.

Connect with Vetted Off-Duty Cops to Instantly Fulfill Your Security Needs