Trending Now - Federal Judge Throws Out Human Smuggling Charges Against Garcia
WHO:
IJR - Judge Waverly Crenshaw was appointed by Barack Obama.
CNN - Kilmar Abrego Garcia, U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw, now-acting Attorney General Todd Blanche
NBC News - Department of Justice
WHAT:
CNN - The Department of Justice stated it will appeal the dismissal of the smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
Fox News - The Department of Justice announced it will appeal the dismissal of the smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
Bloomberg Markets - A federal judge concluded that the U.S. government brought the case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia in retaliation for his legal fight against being deported.
NBC News - A federal judge in Tennessee dismissed the criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia on Friday, finding that the investigation into his alleged involvement with human trafficking was “tainted.”
CNN - The Department of Justice stated it will appeal the dismissal of the smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
NPR - The Department of Homeland Security asserted that Abrego Garcia's final order of removal stands, indicating "this Salvadorian is not going to remain in our country."
NPR - U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw stated, "The reopening of the closed HSI investigation is the source of the vindictiveness."
NPR - The Department of Homeland Security described the judge's decision as "naked judicial activism."
NPR - Abrego Garcia stated, "Justice is a big word and an even bigger promise to fulfill; and I am grateful that today, justice has taken a step forward."
Bloomberg Markets - A federal judge concluded that the U.S. government brought the case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia in retaliation for his legal fight against being deported.
Fox News - The Department of Justice announced it will appeal the dismissal of the smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
NY Post - A federal judge dismissed the human smuggling case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
CNN - The charges against Garcia were dismissed due to “selective or vindictive prosecution.”
CBS News Politics - The judge granted Garcia's motion to dismiss two criminal charges.
WHERE:
CNN - The ruling was made in Nashville, Tennessee.
WHY:
CNN - Judge Waverly Crenshaw noted that "Blanche's now unrebutted public statements tying the reopened investigation to Abrego's successful lawsuit taints the investigation with a vindictive motive."
NPR - The Department of Homeland Security described the judge's decision as "naked judicial activism."
CNN - Judge Waverly Crenshaw noted that "Blanche's now unrebutted public statements tying the reopened investigation to Abrego's successful lawsuit taints the investigation with a vindictive motive."
CNN - Judge Waverly Crenshaw stated, “The objective evidence here shows that, absent Abrego’s successful lawsuit challenging his removal to El Salvador, the Government would not have brought this prosecution.”
CNN - Judge Crenshaw stated, “The evidence before this Court sadly reflects an abuse of prosecuting power.”
CNN - Judge Crenshaw stated that the prosecution was vindictive and selective, citing a “tainted investigation” by Todd Blanche.
CNN - The judge noted that the government would not have brought the prosecution if not for Garcia's successful lawsuit challenging his removal to El Salvador.
HOW:
CNN - The judge indicated that the investigation into the 2022 traffic stop was closed before being reopened after Garcia's successful lawsuit.
CNN - The judge noted that the investigation was reopened only after Abrego succeeded in vindicating his rights.
CNN - The judge indicated that the investigation into the 2022 traffic stop was closed before being reopened after Garcia's successful lawsuit.
CNN - The investigation into Garcia's alleged involvement with human trafficking was described as “tainted” by the judge.
CNN - The judge indicated that the investigation was reopened only after Garcia successfully vindicated his rights.
(UPDATED May 23, 2026 13:20 UTC)
The Department of Justice has announced it will appeal the dismissal of smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, following a federal judge's ruling that found the investigation was tainted by vindictive motives. Judge Waverly Crenshaw noted that public statements linking the reopened investigation to Abrego's successful lawsuit raised concerns about the integrity of the case. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security criticized the judge's decision, labeling it as "naked judicial activism."
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(UPDATED May 23, 2026 07:44 UTC)
The Department of Justice has announced plans to appeal the dismissal of smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, while the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that his final order of removal remains in effect, stating that "this Salvadorian is not going to remain in our country." Judge Waverly Crenshaw expressed concerns that public statements linking the reopened investigation to Abrego's successful lawsuit could undermine the integrity of the investigation, suggesting a vindictive motive. Additionally, the judge noted that the inquiry into the 2022 traffic stop had been closed prior to its reopening following Garcia's lawsuit victory.
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(UPDATED May 23, 2026 06:00 UTC)
U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw has stated that the reopening of the closed HSI investigation is the source of what he describes as vindictiveness. In response, the Department of Homeland Security has labeled the judge's decision as "naked judicial activism." Meanwhile, Abrego Garcia expressed gratitude, saying, "Justice is a big word and an even bigger promise to fulfill; and I am grateful that today, justice has taken a step forward."
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(UPDATED May 23, 2026 01:32 UTC)
A federal judge has determined that the U.S. government pursued a case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia in retaliation for his legal battle against deportation. Judge Waverly Crenshaw stated that the evidence clearly indicates the prosecution would not have occurred if Abrego had not successfully challenged his removal to El Salvador. He also highlighted that the investigation was reopened only after Abrego won his case to protect his rights.
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(UPDATED May 22, 2026 23:17 UTC)
The Department of Justice has announced plans to appeal the dismissal of smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, following a ruling by Judge Waverly Crenshaw, who was appointed by Barack Obama. Judge Crenshaw expressed concern over the case, stating, “The evidence before this Court sadly reflects an abuse of prosecuting power.” He also noted that the investigation into the 2022 traffic stop was initially closed before being reopened after Garcia's successful lawsuit.
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(UPDATED May 22, 2026 21:29 UTC)
A federal judge in Nashville, Tennessee, has dismissed the human smuggling case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, citing “selective or vindictive prosecution.” Judge Waverly Crenshaw stated that the investigation into Garcia's alleged involvement in human trafficking was “tainted” and noted that the prosecution was only pursued after Garcia successfully challenged his removal to El Salvador. The judge granted Garcia's motion to dismiss two criminal charges, emphasizing the flawed nature of the investigation led by now-acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.