In a federal court hearing in Greenbelt, Maryland, Judge Paula Xinis expressed frustration with the Trump administration’s resistance to providing information regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s return from El Salvador. Despite Xinis’ directive for the government to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return, the Justice Department has invoked privileges, including state secrets, to avoid disclosing information and prevent officials from answering questions under oath.
Xinis challenged the adequacy of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s declaration supporting the state secrets claim, calling for more transparency and clarity from the Executive Branch. The Justice Department argued that Rubio’s declaration was sufficient, but Xinis remained unconvinced, emphasizing the need for concrete evidence to review.
The judge also criticized the government for only producing Rubio’s declaration, noting that the deposed officials work for the Department of Homeland Security, not the State Department. Xinis rejected the argument that the Rubio declaration covered DHS officials and stressed the importance of a more detailed submission for her review.
Xinis warned the government that delays would not be tolerated in her court and hinted at the possibility of a confidential review of the information at issue. Despite the government’s update on Abrego Garcia’s condition in El Salvador, Xinis remained skeptical and emphasized the need for compliance with her orders.
Attorneys for Abrego Garcia disputed the government’s claims of compliance, highlighting discrepancies between the government’s assertions and the actual situation. The attorney, Andrew Rossman, urged Xinis not to grant the government additional time for submitting further declarations, citing the need for fairness and accountability.
Overall, the hearing showcased a clash between the court’s demands for transparency and the government’s efforts to withhold information, underscoring the ongoing legal battle surrounding Abrego Garcia’s return to the US.
