U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday met with Patty Morin, the grieving mother of Rachel Morin, who was brutally murdered in 2023 by Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador and a known MS-13 gang member.
During their emotional meeting in the Oval Office, Trump praised Morin’s strength and resilience, saying, “She’s a beautiful woman, she’s been through hell… Your daughter’s looking down, proud of you—just keep it going.”
The encounter was highlighted in a White House video post on X, contrasting Patty Morin’s advocacy with what the administration called the “coddling” of MS-13 criminals by Senator Chris Van Hollen.
“While Sen. Chris Van Hollen tried to coddle an MS-13 alien in El Salvador, Angel Mom Patty Morin stood in the Oval Office with President Trump—fighting for her daughter,” the post read.
Rachel Morin was killed in August 2023 while hiking in Bel Air, Maryland. The gruesome details of the crime shocked the nation. Her mother, Patty, recalled at a White House press briefing, “There wasn’t one inch of her body that didn’t have injuries—fractured ribs, nose, skull… bruising, broken bones. She suffered.”
The images of Rachel’s body were reportedly sealed to protect her children from seeing them.
Speaking at the Easter Prayer Service and Dinner, Trump referred to Patty as an “Angel Mom” and promised full support: “You are indeed an angel Mom. We’re all with you, 100 percent.”
Patty Morin used her appearance to advocate for stronger immigration enforcement:
“These are the kind of criminals President Trump wants to remove. Why should we allow people like this—violent, conscience-less criminals—to stay in this country?”
The room fell into a reflective silence after her speech, as the emotional weight of her testimony left everyone present deeply moved. No questions were asked afterward.
Victor Martinez-Hernandez was convicted earlier this week, bringing a legal conclusion to a case that has ignited nationwide debate on immigration, border security, and justice for American victims.