[DistractionRect]

It's a lot of things. Their reputation, their legal jurisdiction (outside the US), that it's available now, etc.

The administration is using it as a trial run for bigger things. They're already talking about building more, negotiating with other countries, etc.

Right now it's just seeing how the courts will react and if/what consequences there will be, and what loopholes they can use. It's why they're actively fighting against getting back the get "accidently" deported from Maryland. They're hoping they can set a precedent that once outside the country, they're no longer accountable/responsible for human rights/due process afforded by the constitution. It sets up a blueprint to disappear any US citizen (read political opponents/dissidents) with impunity.

Edit: in regards to El Salvador saying it's preposterous to give him back. His comment and the US administration act as if they're being asked to smuggle him past the Coast Guard in the dead of night, give him a gun, and free him in the woods. It's ridiculous. Give him back in the same way he was delivered, in cuffs, on a plane, and handed over to the local authorities.

[zzrrt]

Yep, Bukele's response was sickeningly effective. Basically boiling down to Trump and Bukele both saying they can do nothing due to the sovereignty of the other, knowing full well they could convince each other if they actually wanted to. Throw in a misdirection with an absurd implication nobody was making (smuggling a terrorist).