'DEATH CULT'
Who are the MS-13 gang members and what did Trump say about them?
PRESIDENT Trump announced his plans of an "all-out campaign" to take down the MS-13 gang.
It has resulted in the arrest and indictment of dozens of MS-13 international gang members and leaders across the country.
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He has referenced the government's efforts as a "historic operation."
Who are MS-13?
MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, is a notoriously violent gang that originated in Los Angeles in the 1980s.
Since it was founded, it has spread to more than a half-dozen countries and become a central focus of law enforcement.
, MS-13 has between 50,000 and 70,000 members who are located in mostly urban areas in Central America or locations outside the region where there are large concentrations of Central American people.
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The DoJ says that the gang is not as much about "generating revenue" as they are about "creating a collective identity" that is "constructed and reinforced by shared criminal experiences."
They are known to engage in violent battles with their rivals Barrio 18 and they have a "disregard for human life."
"MS-13 has been a problem for our country for a long time. We’ve taken them out by the thousands," on Wednesday.
"We want security for our people.
"We want the rule of law. We want law and order."
Who are the gang members and who is the leader?
Attorney General Bill Barr said MS-13's "basic purpose" is "violence and terrorizing people."
"They have the street savagery that you would see in a gang; is not driven by commercial interests the way, for example, the Mafia traditionally was," he continued.
Gang leader Melgar Díaz was indicted in the Eastern District of Virginia.
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It is believed he was responsible for activities in 13 states - 20 cliques in the US - and would greenlight assassinations.
Members of the Hollywood clique that operated in Nevada, California, and Eastern New York were also arrested.
The Attorney General concluded that the government against Alexi Saenz who is an MS-13 leader in the Eastern District of New York.
What did the Trump administration say about them?
a "vile and evil gang of people."
The president said he would have more information on the campaign in an announcement next week.
The crackdown on the gang included 21 arrests, including an indictment of an MS-13 leader from Virginia on terrorism charges.
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This is the first time such charges have been brought against a gang leader.
"In New York and Nevada, 21 MS-13 members and leaders have been indicted on charges, including murder, kidnapping, and drug trafficking," Trump said.
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“We believe the monsters who murder children should be put to death,” he continued.
“These people murder children and they do it as slowly and viciously as possible. We will not allow these animals to terrorize our communities. And my administration will not rest until every member of MS 13 is brought to justice.”
Attorney General Barr called MS-13 a “death cult,” saying its members are driven by the “honor of being the most savage, bloodthirsty person you can be and building up a reputation as a killer.”
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