Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard praised President Donald Trump on Saturday for his role in the capture of high-profile Mexican cartel leader Leonardo Daniel “El Pato” Martinez Vera, highlighting the administration’s commitment to combating organized crime. Appearing on Fox & Friends Weekend, Gabbard confirmed the October 15 arrest of the Sinaloa Cartel plaza boss, accused of orchestrating crimes including kidnapping and murder. The operation was made possible through intelligence gathered by the ODNI’s National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC). Gabbard emphasized that the arrest sent a clear message to cartel leaders exploiting the southern border, demonstrating Trump’s seriousness in confronting criminal networks.
Gabbard noted that the operation succeeded despite ongoing challenges from the government shutdown, which left federal employees working without pay. “Our team at NCTC is on the watch, preparing for the moment to strike,” she said, stressing that the arrest serves as both enforcement and deterrent. The State Department designated the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in February 2025, alongside other major Latin American criminal networks, including MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. Gabbard’s comments coincided with broader discussion about border security, noting that illegal crossings have declined sharply under Trump’s second term compared to record highs during the Biden administration.
The issue has drawn bipartisan attention, with critics and supporters of Trump alike acknowledging improvements at the border. Even Democratic Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and independent Sen. Bernie Sanders praised Trump’s efforts, with Sanders stating on The Tim Dillon Show that Trump “did a better job” securing the border than Biden. Sanders emphasized the importance of national borders and criticized previous administrations for lax enforcement. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 2.47 million migrant encounters in fiscal year 2023, compared with roughly 458,000 in Trump’s final year in office, illustrating the dramatic shifts in border activity between administrations. The arrest of El Pato reinforces Trump’s focus on organized crime and signals continued vigilance along the southern border.
