A very high profile arrest was just made by the Trump administration of the top MS-13 gang leader for the East Coast, and both AG Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel were present to watch it happen.
This was an operation by the FBI, ATF, ICE, Virginia State Police and the Prince William County Police Department, all to catch this one 24-year-old terrorist living in a very nice suburban home in DC.
.@AGPamBondi: "Early this morning, one of the top leaders of MS-13 was apprehended. He was the leader for the East Coast, one of the top three in the entire country, right here in Virginia … He is an illegal alien from El Salvador — and he will NOT be living in our country much… pic.twitter.com/cW8QJNe48L
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 27, 2025
.@FBIDirectorKash on the capture of an MS-13 leader: "This is what happens when you let good cops be cops and we're going to continue to let good cops be cops across this country… We are returning our communities to safety." pic.twitter.com/DXe68LA2eE
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 27, 2025
Here’s more via Fox News:
U.S. authorities have captured the MS-13 top leader for the U.S. East Coast, the FBI announced on Thursday.
Officials captured the 24-year-old suspect in Woodbridge, Virginia, just south of Washington, D.C. Authorities have yet to release the suspect’s name, but they say he is one of the top three leaders of the MS-13 gang in the U.S.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel watched the arrest unfold from a nearby tactical operations center. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and senior DOJ official Emil Bove were also present.
“They executed a clean, safe operation and the bad guys in custody. And thanks to the FBI, we got one of the worst of the worst of the MS-13 off the streets this morning. Virginia and the country is a lot safer today,” Bondi told Fox News following the arrest.
The operation included the FBI joined by the Prince William County Police Department, ATF, ICE, and the Virginia State Police.
“Great job by Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, Tom HOMAN, and Kristi N, on the capture of MS13 leader – A big deal!” President Donald Trump wrote on social media.
Patel also praised law enforcement officers for conducting a safe operation.
“This is what can happen when you put good cops in good places to take on bad guys. And America should be watching this. And we are proud to be here standing with these brave warriors,” Patel said.
Thursday’s operation is only the latest targeting top-level members of gangs and drug-trafficking rings operating in the U.S.
The FBI has arrested three individuals on its top 10 most wanted list in the past two months alone.
Trump’s administration has deported several top members of MS-13 to El Salvador for incarceration.
According to the TV report, the name of the gang leader hasn’t been released yet because he hasn’t made a court appearance and been changed. There were children in the home and they were detained for their own safety, but will be returned to a family member.
President Trump was exceedingly happy about this, tweeting multiple times this morning about it:
You can watch the full press conference below: