Judge Probes Vindictive Prosecution of Abrego Garcia

U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw Jr. found a “realistic likelihood” that the Justice Department’s prosecution of Kilmar Abrego Garcia was vindictive and granted discovery and an evidentiary hearing to probe the government’s motives. Crenshaw pointed to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s on‑air comment that investigators reopened the case after a Maryland judge questioned Abrego’s deportation, and to DHS social‑media posts and senior administration statements that labeled Abrego a gang member and violent criminal, as probative of possible retaliatory intent. Abrego was wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March after an administrative error, later returned to the U.S., and has pleaded not guilty to human‑smuggling and transportation charges arising from a 2022 traffic stop. The judge authorized discovery that could include testimony from witnesses and officials to determine whether the prosecution was intended to punish Abrego for challenging his removal, but stopped short of dismissing the indictment. If Abrego develops evidence showing the prosecution was retaliatory, the charges could be tossed, making the ruling a rare and significant rebuke of DOJ and DHS.