Trump administration’s MS-13 case crumbles in court

A federal judge has cast doubt on Donald Trump and the Justice Department’s assertion that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who recently returned to the United States after a controversial deportation, is a member of the notorious MS-13 gang. The ruling marks the latest twist in a legal saga that has raised questions about the government’s handling of the case and its commitment to due process.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Abrego was sent to El Salvador in March by the Trump administration, which for months ignored a federal court order requiring his return to the U.S. The order, which was issued in April, compelled the government to bring him back, regardless of allegations about his criminal background. He was returned earlier this month and promptly faced federal charges of illegally transporting undocumented immigrants, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Trump’s Justice Department

In its effort to keep Abrego in custody ahead of trial, the Justice Department argued that his alleged ties to MS-13 justified detention. Prosecutors asserted that their investigation “revealed that the defendant has a long history and association with MS-13,” pointing to statements from two cooperating witnesses. In her ruling, U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes rejected that argument, describing the government’s evidence as weak and unreliable. Holmes noted that the claims were “general statements, all double hearsay,” and that a third witness directly contradicted them, saying that in a decade of knowing Abrego, he had never seen any indications — such as tattoos or behavior — that linked him to MS-13. “The government’s evidence of Abrego’s alleged gang membership is simply insufficient,” Holmes wrote, effectively dismantling a key component of the Justice Department’s detention bid.

The Trump administration

For months, officials had leaned on the claim of gang affiliation to justify their actions, even though it did not excuse their failure to comply with the court order to return Abrego. The hearing provided a critical opportunity for the Justice Department to substantiate its claims, but it fell short. Holmes’ decision does not absolve Abrego of the criminal charges he faces, nor does it prevent future deportation efforts. Prosecutors can still pursue their case, and the government has already signaled plans to detain him in immigration custody if he is released from criminal custody. A motion to halt his release is also pending, which could ultimately keep him behind bars. The judge acknowledged that her ruling might ultimately be an “academic exercise” if immigration authorities take custody regardless of the criminal proceedings. Still, she emphasized that the government must respect due process while its case moves forward.

Substantial evidence?

The episode highlights broader concerns about the Justice Department’s handling of the case. By failing to substantiate its own accusations, the government has raised questions about the thoroughness and fairness of its approach. For Abrego, the ruling represents a significant, if temporary, legal victory — and a potential sign that his defense may find further openings as the case progresses. If the Justice Department cannot produce more substantial evidence, the saga of Abrego Garcia may become a symbol of the perils of relying on unverified claims in high-stakes immigration and criminal proceedings.

The post Trump administration’s MS-13 case crumbles in court appeared first on Knewz.