Abrego Garcia’s lawyers ask judge for gag order against Trump officials
Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s lawyers asked a federal judge in Tennessee on Thursday to prohibit top Trump officials from making remarks about their client that could bias the jury against him.
The attorneys said that administration officials have repeatedly accused Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national facing human smuggling charges, of being a criminal gang member and made other negative claims about him that pose a “substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing this proceeding.”
The attorneys pointed to numerous recent instances, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem calling Abrego Garcia an “MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator.”
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“She also called Mr. Abrego a ‘monster,’” the attorneys wrote.
This is the second time Abrego Garcia’s attorneys have asked the judge to rein in statements from the administration. The judge previously responded by reminding the government to follow all typical rules and procedures of prosecutions, which include avoiding making prejudicial statements outside of court.
Abrego Garcia was erroneously deported by the Trump administration to a prison in El Salvador in March. The government claimed for nearly two months in combative hearings and court papers that it could not return him, despite an order from the Supreme Court to attempt to do so.
In a surprise move in June, the Department of Justice returned him to the United States and brought an indictment against him for two counts of conspiring to transport illegal immigrants within the country.
He was released from jail last week while he awaits trial, but immigration authorities promptly re-detained him in Maryland, fulfilling fears previously expressed in court by Abrego Garcia and his lawyers.
In a separate civil case in Maryland, a judge has barred the government from deporting Abrego Garcia until at least October.
Abrego Garcia’s attorneys have said that since he was released, the Trump administration’s attacks on their client outside of court have only worsened.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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