Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Attorney Declares Victory As Deportation Temporarily Blocked

Attorney for Abrego Garcia says ‘every branch of US government’ used to punish his client

Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said that Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been hit with “the full force of every branch of U.S government just bringing the hammer down as far as possible.”

The attorney said that his client had never asked to go up against the United States government.

“I mean, they’re the ones who made a mistake and brought this upon him. He never asked for this,’ he said.

“Since day one, they’ve, treated him with the full force of every branch of U.S government just bringing the hammer down as far as possible. Hard as possible.”

Sandoval-Moshenberg added that, despite the Trump administration making countless claims about Abrego Garcia, they had not been able to make them stick in court.

“I mean, this case has been before. How many courts now? I’ve lost count. Right. It’s the immigration judge in 2019, the federal court in Maryland, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, the United States Supreme Court, two different judges in the Middle District of Tennessee. Not one of them has agreed that the government has sufficient evidence of their allegations of, you know, gang membership and what have you,” he said.

“When I read their filings, right, they charged with things and then they included a lot of other things that they didn’t have any or enough evidence for to charge, pretty, pretty heinous crimes in the documents. But they didn’t even attempt to charge them.”

Attorney says it’s ‘crazy’ he’s forced to file a lawsuit to prevent Abrego Garcia’s deportation

Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said it was “crazy” that he was forced to file a lawsuit to ensure due process for his client.

“The fact that I have to file a lawsuit to, you know, make sure that someone isn’t deported while they’re waiting for a hearing on whether they can be deported is pretty crazy,” he told Erin Burnett on CNN on Monday.

“But that’s where we are these days.”

Abrego Garcia’s attorney reveals ‘next move’ for client

Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg was asked what his “next move” will be for his client, after a judge blocked his immediate deportation to Uganda.

Sandoval-Moshenberg said that his focus was that, if Abrego Garcia was deported, it was to a country that would not simply send him back to El Salvador.

“Our contention is that if they want to deport him to any country, they have to make sure that that country is not just going to be a brief waystation, you know, practically a layover on the way right back to El Salvador, where he was tortured earlier this year in the infamous secret prison,” he said on CNN on Monday. “Whether that country’s Uganda or whether that country’s, you know, Spain, what have you.

“There is one country that has offered guarantees that they will give him refugee status, that they will allow him to remain at liberty, that they will not read deport him, and that country is Costa Rica—which was on the table as recently as last week,” he added.

“But now the government has decided that they want to send him to Uganda instead, which is clearly just punitive.”

The Trump administration had offered to deport Abrego Garcia to Costa Rica on the contention that he pleaded guilty to human trafficking, a charge he has vehemently denied. He declined the offer.

Abrego Garcia’s attorney declares partial victory after judge’s ruling Monday

Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg declared a “partial victory” on Monday, after a U.S. district judge blocked the Trump administration from deporting his client to Uganda.

“It’s certainly a partial victory,” he said. “The government wanted to remove him from the country as early as Thursday. And they can’t do that now.

“The judge is going to come up with a schedule for a hearing at the hearing. Could be as soon as Friday. But it may be pushed into the following week.

“And she has required that he not be moved, actually, out of Virginia, where he’s currently being detained until that hearing.”

US government’s attorney says Abrego Garcia’s deportation is ‘not imminent’

The Trump administration’s attorney said today that Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s was “not imminent.”

Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign told Judge Paula Xinis, during Monday’s hearing, that Abrego Garcia was not at risk of being deported within the next few days.

“My understanding is that removal is not imminent,” he said, adding that “third country removals often takes some time”.

Despite his assurances, Xinis blocked Abrego Garcia’s potential deportation to Uganda, on a temporary basis, until a full hearing could be held.

IN PICTURES: Abrego Garcia, family and supporters look emotional before he turned himself in to ICE

ICE refusing to answer Abrego Garcia’s lawyer’s questions, says senator

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is refusing to answer questions from Kilmar Abrego García’s attorney, Sen. Chris Van Hollen said on Monday.

Abrego Garcia voluntarily turned himself in to immigration officials in Baltimore on Monday after ICE instructed him to appear for a check-in, despite a judge’s order that immigration could not take him into custody immediately after his release on Friday. Rather than risk forceful detention or arrest, he chose to turn himself in amid ongoing legal and public pressure.

In a post on X, Sen. Van Hollen warned that, “ICE is holding Kilmar Ábrego García and refusing to answer questions from his lawyers — while the Trump Admin continues to spread lies about his case.

“Instead of spewing unproven allegations on social media, they need to put up or shut up IN COURT. Mr. Ábrego García must be allowed to defend himself,” he added.

Fox News host says Abrego Garcia ‘had it made’ in El Salvador’s notorious mega prison

Fox News host says Kilmar Abrego Garcia “had it made” in El Salvador’s notorious mega prison CECOT.

The prison houses some of El Salvador’s most hardened criminals, including mass murderers and gang members, is renowned for its harsh conditions. Cells, which can hold more than 80 inmates at a time, often have no sheets, or mattresses, and feature an open toilet and plastic bucket for washing.

“This guy had it made. He was in a low security prison in his home country in El Salvador. He was fishing, he was gardening, playing soccer and video games. He would probably get released in a couple years,” Fox News host Jesse Watters said on his Monday show. He offered no evidence of Abrego Garcia “fishing” or “playing soccer.” Multiple reports state that inmates at CECOT are locked in their cells 23 and a half hours everyday.

“But his stupid senator and these dumb lawyers pulled him out of his home country back into here and now they are sending him to Uganda,” Watters continued. “Is he going to bring his wife, is he going to bring his son? He’s supposed to be a great dad and a great spouse and the wife and kids are allowed to go to Uganda. If this is a great marriage and these are loving people, she should get on the plane with him.”

WATCH: Moment Kilmar Abrego Garcia surrendered to ICE custody in Baltimore

Sen. Warren joins Democrat calls for Abrego Garcia to get a fair hearing

Sen. Elizabeth Warren has joined the calls of several other Democrats, demanding that Kilmar Abrego Garcia is given a fair hearing.

“The Trump admin wrongly sent Kilmar Abrego Garcia to a horrific El Salvadoran prison,” the senator wrote on X on Monday.

“Now, just days after he was reunited with his family, they’re trying to deny him his rights and deport him to Uganda. Kilmar—like everyone—deserves a fair hearing to defend himself,” she added.

WATCH: Inside ICE’s training facility

‘Everyone deserves their day in court,’ says Democrat on Abrego Garcia’s deportation

Rep. Glenn Ivey has said that the “struggle for due process continues” as he and fellow Democrats challenge the Trump administration’s attempts to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda.

“Everyone deserves their day in court to clear their name and to prove their innocence,” Ivey, a representative for Maryland, wrote on X on Monday.

“Mr. Abrego Garcia must not be sent to some third party country like Uganda. The people united will continue to seek justice for Kilmar! #JusticeforKilmar.”

What has Uganda said about accepting US’s third-country deportees

Uganda said it had agreed to a “temporary” deal with the Trump administration to take in migrants deported from the U.S, with certain conditions around criminals and unaccompanied minors.

Bagiire Vincent Waiswa, permanent secretary to the Ugandan foreign ministry, said last week that the agreement with the U.S. as “concluded.”

The deal would allow the U.S. to deport to Uganda third-country nationals who may not be granted asylum in the U.S, but fear the consequences of returning to their countries of origin.

“This is a temporary arrangement with conditions including that individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors will not be accepted,” Waiswa said in a statement.

“Uganda also prefers that individuals from African countries shall be the ones transferred to Uganda. The two parties are working out the detailed modalities on how the agreement shall be implemented.”

Rep. Crockett calls Abrego Garcia’s deportation ‘weaponization of government’

Rep. Jasmine Crockett has condemned the Trump administration’s attempted deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda as cruel.

“Let’s be clear: deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda makes no sense—it’s not his home country,” she wrote in a post on X on Monday.

“Nothing about this process has been fair. ICE is targeting him with cruelty. This is the weaponization of government, not justice,” she added.

Homeland Security attacks Democrats for defending Abrego Garcia

Homeland Security has criticized Democrats for calling for due process for Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

“Kilmar Abrego Garcia is not and will never be a Maryland Man—he is a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador and public safety threat,” the department’s X account said in a post on Monday, as it shared posts from multiple Democrat politicians calling for a “fair hearing” for Abrego Garcia.

“It is insane that sanctuary politicians chose to glorify and stand with an MS-13 gang member over the safety of American citizens,” it added.

WATCH: Trump responds to Kilmar Abrego Garcia: ‘Very bad for votes’

Kristi Noem labels Abrego Garcia ‘human trafficker’ and ‘child predator’

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem branded Kilmar Abrego Garcia an “MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator” on Monday as the Trump administration pushes for his deportation.

Abrego Garcia has never been charged with child abuse and has strongly denied the charges of migrant smuggling charges, which from from a 2022 traffic stop which did not elicit any charges at the time.

His lawyers and family have strongly denied he had any affiliation with MS-13.

The Trump administration’s claims he’s a gang member are mainly focused on his tattoos, the fact he wore a Chicago Bulls hat and disputed information from a 2019 informant.

Medicaid Cuts: Judge backs Trump administration move

network of family planning clinics in Maine will remain without Medicaid funding as it challenges Trump administration restrictions on abortion providers, a federal judge ruled Monday. The decision leaves Maine Family Planning unable to access reimbursements that support thousands of low-income patients during the course of its lawsuit.

The cuts stem from President Donald Trump‘s policy and tax measure, known as the “big beautiful bill,” which barred Medicaid dollars from going to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider. The law also swept in smaller organizations such as Maine Family Planning, which operates 18 clinics across one of the poorest and most rural states in the Northeast.

Maine Family Planning argues the policy unfairly targets its operations even though Medicaid funds do not cover abortion care, which makes up only a fraction of its services. “It’s unfair to cut off funding for the clinics solely because Congress wanted to defund Planned Parenthood,” an attorney for the provider told the court earlier this month.

Read in full from Gabe Whisnant on Newsweek.

Wes Moore mocks Trump over praise claim as feud escalates

Maryland Governor Wes Moore dismissed Trump’s comment that Moore privately called him “the greatest president of my lifetime,” responding with a terse “lol” on social media. Trump made the remark during a Monday Oval Office appearance, recalling a December encounter at the Army-Navy football game.

The exchange is the latest in a growing feud between the two leaders, sparked by Trump’s threat to deploy National Guard troops to Baltimore. Moore has challenged Trump to visit the city and “walk our streets,” while Trump has criticized Baltimore’s crime rate and threatened to withhold federal funding for rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Judge blocks Medicaid funds for Maine clinics during abortion funding lawsuit

A federal judge ruled Monday that Maine Family Planning will not regain access to Medicaid funding while its lawsuit challenging Trump-era restrictions proceeds. The clinics, which serve thousands of low-income patients across rural Maine, were impacted by provisions in the administration’s “big beautiful bill” that cut off funds to abortion providers.

Though Maine Family Planning says Medicaid dollars are not used for abortion services, Judge Lance Walker declined to reinstate payments during the legal challenge. The organization argues it was unfairly penalized due to broader efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, despite offering a wide range of non-abortion health care. The case continues as advocates warn of deepening gaps in care for underserved communities.

Hochul pushes back on Trump’s crime claims and bail criticism

New York Governor Kathy Hochul rejected Trump’s portrayal of crime in her state, calling his remarks uninformed and misleading. “President Trump has no concept of how the law works in New York,” Hochul said Monday, defending the state’s approach to bail reform and public safety.

She noted that New York has not eliminated cash bail and now reports its lowest violent crime rate in 60 years. Hochul also highlighted legislative changes she championed since 2021, which expanded judicial discretion to detain individuals deemed dangerous before trial.

Responding to Trump’s threat to cut federal funding over bail policies, Hochul called the move “reckless,” warning it would undermine law enforcement and jeopardize community safety.

Ken Martin rallies Democrats with call to confront Trumpism

DNC Chair Ken Martin delivered a forceful speech Monday in Minneapolis, urging Democrats to “fight like hell” against Donald Trump and Republican allies he described as “rubber stamps.”

Speaking at the party’s summer meeting, Martin framed the political moment as a battle against authoritarianism, declaring, “This is not politics as usual. It’s fascism dressed in a red tie.”

Martin, six months into his leadership, acknowledged internal divisions and challenged the party to prioritize electoral wins over rhetorical victories. He also paid tribute to his late friend, former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who was killed in June, and emphasized the urgency of using political power to effect change.

National Guard troops assigned to trash cleanup in D.C.

National Guard members deployed to Washington, D.C., are now assisting with citywide cleanup efforts, according to a statement Monday from the military task force overseeing operations. The initiative is part of a broader “beautification” campaign aimed at restoring public spaces.

Over the weekend, the D.C. National Guard shared footage of troops collecting garbage along a trail, including piles of rubber gloves and debris near a park bench. Officials declined to specify how frequently troops have been tasked with cleanup duties, but emphasized the effort supports community improvement alongside public safety operations.

Trump floats renaming the Department of Defense

During two White House events on Monday, Trump suggested he may rename the Department of Defense. Speaking alongside South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in the Oval Office, Trump said, “Between us, I think we’re going to change the name,” without offering specifics.

He hinted that more details would be released “soon,” but did not elaborate on what the new name might be or why the change is under consideration. The remark adds to a growing list of symbolic shifts Trump has proposed during his second term.

WATCH: Trump responds to Kilmar Abrego Garcia: ‘Very bad for votes’

Judge temporarily forbids US government from deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Judge Paula Xinis has temporarily blocked Kilmar Abrego García’s deportation to Uganda.

Xinis, a U.S. District Judge for the District of Maryland, made the ruling during on Monday hearing on a lawsuit from Abrego Garcia after he was detained by ICE on Monday and threatened with deportation to Uganda.

She told Department of Justice attorneys that the U.S. government is “absolutely forbidden” from removing Abrego Garcia until she held an evidentiary hearing on Friday.

The judge also emphasized she had concerns about allegations the DOJ was using threats to deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda if he did not plead guilty to human trafficking. They had offered him the opportunity to be deported to Costa Rica instead, if he’d accepted the plea deal.

Xinis ordered that Abrego not be moved from his detention facility in Virginia and then asked Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign if her oral order was enough for the Justice Department to abide by. Ensign previously argued that Judge James Boasberg’s oral order to immediately halt the March deportation of 130 Venezuelan men to a prison in El Salvador, had not been enough and a written order was required.

“Your clients are absolutely forbidden at this juncture to remove Mr. Abrego Garcia from the continental United States,” Xinis told Ensign, who replied, “Your honor, yes, we certainly understand that.”

Bondi to meet NYPD commissioner amid Trump’s bail crackdown

Attorney General Pam Bondi is scheduled to meet Monday with New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch at NYPD headquarters in Manhattan. The timing and agenda of the meeting remain undisclosed, but it follows President Trump’s executive order targeting jurisdictions that have “substantially eliminated cash bail.”

The order directs Bondi to identify cities like New York for potential federal funding cuts, escalating tensions between the White House and Democratic-led local governments. Tisch, appointed in 2024, has not previously met with Bondi. The visit comes as Mayor Eric Adams defends the city’s public safety record and resists federal intervention.

Trump misstates crime data while defending National Guard deployments

Trump dismissed the idea of sending National Guard troops to Republican-led cities facing high crime, claiming “there aren’t that many of them.” He added that nearly all of the top 25 cities with the highest crime rates are run by Democrats.

However, a 2024 analysis by the Rochester Institute of Technology found that two cities on that list have Republican mayors, and six are in states governed by the GOP. Trump also repeated the inaccurate claim that Washington, D.C. hasn’t gone seven days without a murder in years.

Police data shows the capital experienced multiple weeklong stretches without homicides in 2025, including one in July.

Why would Kilmar Abrego Garcia be deported to Uganda?

The U.S. government is considering deportation to Uganda under a recent agreement that allows the U.S. to send deportees—including individuals who cannot safely be returned to their home countries or where they hold protections, such as Kilmar Abrego García’s withholding of removal from El Salvador.

Uganda has agreed to accept certain deportees who lack criminal records and are not unaccompanied minors. Since Abrego García’s removal to El Salvador is barred, Uganda emerged as an alternative destination.

Federal authorities reportedly offered a plea deal that would allow Abrego García to be deported to Costa Rica, where he would not face detention—but only if he pleaded guilty to smuggling charges. He refused this deal. Following his rejection, the deportation threat shifted to Uganda, which has more controversial human rights records and where he could be placed in custody.

Abrego García’s attorneys argue that the Uganda threat is part of a pattern of vindictive prosecution and have filed lawsuits seeking to block this move.

Who is Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer?

Jennifer Vasquez Sura, a U.S. citizen and wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, has been a vocal advocate for his return since his wrongful deportation to El Salvador in March 2025.

The couple is raising three children together.

Her public efforts have drawn attention to the family’s struggle and the broader implications of U.S. immigration policy.

Why did Kilmar Abrego Garcia turn himself in to ICE custody?

Kilmar Abrego García voluntarily turned himself in at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Baltimore on Monday, accompanied by his wife, brother, and a group of supporters—many of whom were rallying against the Trump administration’s plan to deport him to Uganda .

This self-reporting occurred after a judge had released Abrego García from custody in Tennessee and reinstated his supervised release in Maryland.

Despite this ruling, ICE instructed him to appear for a check-in that very Monday.

Rather than risk forceful detention or arrest, he chose to turn himself in, following the court’s directive, amid ongoing legal and public pressure .

Who is Kilmar Abrego Garcia?

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man previously deported to El Salvador in error, was taken back into federal custody Monday during a scheduled ICE check-in in Baltimore. His detention comes just days after his release from federal custody in Tennessee, where he awaits trial on immigration-related charges.

Garcia’s legal team filed a lawsuit hours later, seeking to block any deportation to Uganda or another country until his immigration case is heard. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed he is being processed for removal to Uganda, despite prior court rulings and concerns about persecution.

Garcia, who was returned to the U.S. in June after being sent to a Salvadoran prison in violation of a 2019 court order, faces two federal charges. His attorneys say the government offered deportation to Costa Rica in exchange for a guilty plea, calling the offer coercive. Speaking to supporters before his detention, Garcia urged continued advocacy and said time with his family gave him strength to keep fighting.

Chicago crime falls sharply despite Trump’s war zone rhetoric

Trump has repeatedly likened Chicago to a war zone on the campaign trail, reviving calls to “send in the feds” to combat gun violence. But new city data shows violent crime in Chicago has dropped dramatically in 2025, marking the steepest decline in more than a decade.

Shootings are down 37%, homicides have fallen by 32%, and overall violent crime has dropped by over 22% in the first half of the year. Experts say the gains reflect targeted efforts to address the root causes of violence—not the militarized tactics Trump has promoted elsewhere.

“Out of necessity, Chicago has become a hub for innovation in gun violence prevention,” said Kimberley Smith of the University of Chicago Crime Lab. She urged federal leaders to invest in research-backed strategies rather than relying on force.

What is Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s legal status?

Kilmar Abrego García is currently in custody of immigration officials after turning himself in at a facility in Baltimore.

His attorneys have filed a new lawsuit asking a judge to slow the removal process to allow them to challenge his potential deportation to Uganda.

Abrego García was previously granted a withholding of removal in 2019, which prevented his deportation to El Salvador due to credible threats he faced from gangs there.

Despite the order, he was wrongfully deported to El Salvador on March 15, 2025.

The U.S. government eventually admitted this was an administrative error, and in April, the Supreme Court ordered them to “facilitate” his return.

After mounting political pressure, Abrego Garcia was returned to the U.S. on June 6.

However, he was then indicted on federal human smuggling charges, something he has denied and his lawyers have categorized as retaliatory. He was released from custody on August 22 with a federal magistrate judge ordering that ICE could not detain him immediately upon release and requiring the government to give 72 hours’ notice before attempting any deportation to a third country.

Despite this ruling, ICE instructed him to appear for a check-in on Monday. Rather than risk forceful detention or arrest, he chose to turn himself in, following the court’s directive, amid ongoing legal and public pressure .

Is Kilmar Abrego Garcia in a gang? What to know

The Trump administration has repeatedly accused Kilmar Abrego García of being part of the MS‑13 gang.

They have cited tattoos, him wearing a Chicago Bulls hat, and a 2019 bond proceeding where a police detective and a confidential informant alleged he was part of the gang, as “proof” of his affiliation.

A presided over his 2019 case found that based, on the confidential information, there was sufficient evidence to support Abrego Garcia’s gang membership. The finding was upheld by another judge.

Abrego Garcia and his legal team have always denied any gang affiliation.

Trump claims President Xi Jinping wants him to come to China

President Donald Trump claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping wants him to come to China, during his meeting with South Korea’s new president Lee Jae Myung.

Trump invited Myung to join him on his China trip, adding “we’re going to allow” Chinese students to come in.

Trump says he has good relationship with Kim Jong-un during South Korean president meeting

President Trump told South Korea’s new president Lee Jae Myung that he has a “good relationship” with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.

Myung was at the White House to meet Trump for the first time as relations between the U.S. and South Korea continue to be strained.

Trump said the United States is thinking about contracting ships from South Korea, and says that in World War II “we built a ship a day.”

He also told Myung that he thinks “we can do something in that regard with north and south.”

House Oversight launches probe into alleged DC crime data manipulation

House Oversight Chair James Comer announced Monday that the committee will investigate claims that Washington, D.C.’s crime statistics have been intentionally distorted. In a letter to Metropolitan Police Chief Pam Smith, Comer cited reports that a police commander was placed on administrative leave for allegedly altering crime data.

Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed an internal investigation is underway. Comer’s letter also referenced a whistleblower disclosure and requested documents and interviews with commanders from all seven patrol districts.

The inquiry follows President Donald Trump’s recent declaration of a public safety emergency in the capital, which triggered the deployment of over 2,300 National Guard troops and a surge of federal agents. The Justice Department has opened its own review of the city’s crime reporting practices, as Republicans continue to question the accuracy of local data and enforcement policies.

Trump suggests DOJ could reopen Bridgegate probe into Chris Christie

Trump signaled support for a possible Justice Department investigation into former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie over the 2013 “Bridgegate” scandal. While deflecting direct responsibility, Trump told reporters, “If they want to look at it, they can,” and added, “I always thought he got away with murder.”

The remarks follow Christie’s televised criticism of Trump’s leadership and use of federal law enforcement. In response, Trump revived the decade-old controversy involving lane closures on the George Washington Bridge, which prosecutors once alleged were politically motivated. Christie was never charged and has consistently denied involvement.

Trump hints at possible future meeting with Kim Jong Un

President Donald Trump suggested Monday that he may meet again with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, reviving speculation about renewed diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang. Speaking to reporters, Trump emphasized his personal rapport with Kim, claiming it was stronger than with anyone besides Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong.

“A lot of people would say, ‘That’s terrible.’ No, it’s good,” Trump said, referencing their past summits. He added, “In fact, someday, I’ll see him. I look forward to seeing him.”

WATCH: Kilmar Abrego Garcia surrenders to ICE custody in Baltimore

Trump signs order targeting flag burning

Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing federal prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against individuals who burn American flags during protests.

The order instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to examine whether flag burners can be charged under alternative statutes, such as disturbing the peace or violating environmental laws. Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, called the court’s decision “very sad” and claimed flag burning incites unrest.

The administration’s push to criminalize the act comes amid polling that shows growing public opposition to flag burning. Legal experts say the order is likely to face constitutional challenges, given the precedent set in Texas v. Johnson, which invalidated flag-burning bans in 48 states.

Trump: ‘These people are deranged’

“They think he’s going to be good for votes, and I think he’s very bad for votes,” Trump said today when asked about Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

“These people are deranged,” he continued. “He’s not good for votes. He beat the hell out of his wife. His wife is afraid to even talk about it. She’s been mauled by this animal.

“And, you know, through a system of liberal courts, he’s doing things, but no, we have that under control.”

Trump then referred to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who repeated: “We’ve got him under control.”

Trump defends DC crackdown, denies dictator label

Trump pushed back against criticism of his law enforcement tactics in Washington, D.C., telling reporters Monday that some Americans “maybe like a dictator.” He rejected the label, saying, “I’m not a dictator. I’m a man with great common sense.”

The remarks came amid growing backlash over the administration’s deployment of armed National Guard troops in the capital.

Trump also reiterated threats to send troops into Chicago, part of a broader effort to expand federal policing in major cities. Critics have accused the administration of overreach and undermining local authority.

Trump opens public safety event with media criticism

During a scheduled Oval Office event on public safety, President Donald Trump shifted focus to a sharp critique of the press, accusing reporters of biased coverage and political hostility. He claimed the media publishes “purposely negative stories” and suggested journalists privately support his law enforcement policies but won’t admit it publicly due to “radical left” leanings.

Trump also argued that media influence has waned, pointing to his electoral success despite unfavorable reporting. “Many of you are corrupt,” he said, “but we keep winning.”

Van Hollen slams ice over detention of Abrego Garcia

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) issued a sharp rebuke Monday of the Trump administration’s handling of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s case, following the Salvadoran national’s detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Van Hollen accused federal officials of withholding information from Garcia’s legal team and spreading false claims about his background. He called on the administration to stop making public accusations and instead present its case in court.

“While ICE is holding Kilmar Ábrego García and keeping his lawyers in the dark as to what is next for him, Administration officials continue to spread lies about the facts in his case,” he said. “Instead of spewing unproven allegations in the press and social media, the Trump Administration needs to put up or shut up in court and allow Mr. Ábrego García the opportunity to defend himself. That is the right to due process that he and everyone else living in America is afforded by our Constitution, and we will keep fighting to ensure that right is honored.”

Abrego Garcia open to Costa Rica refugee deal, lawyer says

Kilmar Abrego Garcia is willing to leave the United States and accept refugee status in Costa Rica, according to his attorney. The offer aligns with a previously proposed plea deal from the Trump administration, which would have allowed Garcia to plead guilty to federal charges and be deported to the Central American country.

Garcia’s legal team says the alternative—rejection of the deal—would trigger efforts to deport him to Uganda, a country where Spanish is not widely spoken and where they argue he could face serious risks.

The administration’s push to send Garcia to East Africa has drawn criticism from rights advocates and sparked legal challenges over due process and safety concerns.

Court filing pauses Uganda deportation for Abrego Garcia

Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s legal team filed a habeas corpus petition Monday morning in Maryland federal court, triggering a temporary halt to his deportation under a standing judicial order. The rule, issued in May by the state’s chief federal judge, bars the government from deporting immigrants for 48 business hours after such petitions are filed.

The emergency motion seeks to block Abrego Garcia’s removal to Uganda, arguing that the Trump administration re-arrested him without allowing him to raise concerns about potential persecution or torture. The filing marks the latest legal maneuver in a high-profile immigration case that has drawn national attention and intensified scrutiny of federal deportation practices.

DHS defends Uganda deportation plan in online thread targeting Abrego Garcia

The Department of Homeland Security launched a public thread Monday morning detailing its case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national arrested by ICE and now facing deportation to Uganda. The agency’s official account accused Garcia of being a member of the MS-13 gang, a human trafficker, domestic abuser, and child predator—allegations his legal team has repeatedly denied.

The posts followed Secretary Kristi Noem’s announcement that Garcia had been taken into custody in Maryland and was being processed for removal. DHS said Garcia was validated as an MS-13 member by local police in 2019 and cited a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee as evidence of suspected human trafficking. The thread also referenced past domestic violence allegations and court filings related to inappropriate communications with a minor.

Garcia’s attorneys say the government is retaliating against him for challenging his wrongful deportation earlier this year and have filed a federal lawsuit to block his removal to Uganda. The DHS thread drew immediate backlash from immigrant rights advocates, who accused the administration of using social media to smear Garcia and bypass due process.

Uganda agrees to accept U.S. deportees under new deal

Uganda has agreed to accept third-country nationals deported from the United States, becoming the latest nation to participate in President Donald Trump’s expanded removal strategy. The deal, confirmed by Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, allows Washington to transfer migrants who refuse to return to their home countries—under conditions that exclude individuals with criminal records or unaccompanied minors.

The agreement follows similar arrangements with Eswatini, Rwanda, and South Sudan, and comes as Uganda faces steep U.S. tariffs on key exports like coffee and vanilla, Al Jazeera reports. While the details of what Uganda may receive in return remain unclear, analysts suggest trade incentives could be part of the negotiations.

Rights groups have condemned the policy, warning that deporting vulnerable individuals to countries with limited human rights protections may violate international law. Critics also argue that the deals treat African nations as political bargaining chips, with legal experts likening the practice to human trafficking.

Uganda, which already hosts over 1.7 million refugees, has long been praised for its open-door asylum policy. But opposition lawmakers say the U.S. deal could bolster President Yoweri Museveni’s standing ahead of the 2026 elections, despite concerns over political repression and civil liberties.

The Trump administration has defended the agreements as necessary to enforce immigration laws and protect national security. Deportees have already been sent to countries including El Salvador, South Sudan, and Eswatini, often under controversial circumstances.

Abrego Garcia files federal lawsuit to block Uganda deportation

Kilmar Abrego Garcia has filed a new federal habeas corpus petition in Maryland, challenging the Trump administration’s plan to deport him to Uganda.

While the filing remains sealed, his attorney confirmed the lawsuit aims to stop what they describe as a coercive and retaliatory removal effort.

Advocates condemn federal deportation push against Abrego Garcia

Immigrant rights group CASA sharply criticized the federal government Monday for its handling of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s case, calling him a “martyr” for resisting what they describe as illegal deportation practices.

“Kilmar is being made an example of,” said Lydia Walther-Rodriguez, CASA’s chief of organizing and leadership, in a press release. “They’re throwing the entire federal apparatus at one father of three to prove that no one should dare challenge their authority.”

The statement comes amid growing backlash over the Trump administration’s efforts to deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda, despite ongoing legal proceedings and public support from elected officials. CASA called the government’s actions “torturous” and demanded an immediate end to what it views as retaliatory enforcement.

Noem: ‘President Trump is not going to allow this illegal alien…to terrorize American citizens any longer’

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem shared a statement on the arrest of Abrego Garcia.

Federal officials allege Garcia is affiliated with the MS-13 gang and accuse him of human trafficking, domestic abuse, and child exploitation. Secretary Noem said the arrest reflects the Trump administration’s commitment to removing individuals deemed dangerous to public safety.

“Today, ICE law enforcement arrested Kilmar Abrego Garcia and are processing him for deportation,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “President Trump is not going to allow this illegal alien, who is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator, to terrorize American citizens any longer.”

Trump to sign order targeting D.C.’s cashless bail policy

Trump is expected to sign an executive order Monday aimed at ending Washington, D.C.’s longstanding cashless bail system, according to a senior White House official. The order would pressure the district to abandon the policy by threatening to withhold federal funding and project approvals.

The directive also calls for suspects arrested in D.C. to be placed in federal custody rather than local detention, further expanding federal control over the city’s criminal justice process.

D.C. has operated under a cashless bail framework since 1992, allowing judges to release defendants pretrial based on risk assessments rather than financial conditions. Critics of Trump’s move say eliminating the policy could disproportionately harm low-income residents and undermine judicial discretion.

The order follows a series of aggressive federal actions in the capital, including arming National Guard troops and threatening deployments to other cities. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office declined to comment on the pending order.

What is Abrego Garcia accused of?

The Trump administration accuses Kilmar Abrego Garcia of being a member of MS-13, a transnational criminal gang designated as a terrorist organization. The allegation stems from a 2019 police encounter in Maryland, where officers cited his clothing, tattoos, and a confidential source as indicators of gang affiliation. Abrego Garcia denies the claim, and his attorneys argue that the evidence is speculative and uncorroborated. He has never been convicted of gang-related activity in the U.S. or El Salvador.

In 2025, Abrego Garcia was indicted on federal human smuggling charges in Tennessee after being stopped while transporting several passengers. He pleaded not guilty, and his legal team says he was driving construction workers between job sites. No trafficking charges were filed at the time of the stop.

A domestic violence allegation also surfaced in 2021, when his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, filed a protective order claiming physical abuse. She later withdrew the petition, stating the couple had resolved the matter privately through counseling. Vasquez Sura continues to support her husband publicly and denies any gang involvement.

Despite these allegations, Abrego Garcia was granted protection from deportation to El Salvador in 2019 due to threats from rival gang Barrio-18. He has complied with immigration check-ins since then and maintains that he poses no danger to the community. His legal team argues that the government’s efforts to deport him—particularly to Uganda—are retaliatory and politically motivated.

Who is Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s wife?

Jennifer Vasquez Sura, a U.S. citizen and wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, has been a vocal advocate for his return since his wrongful deportation to El Salvador in March 2025.

The couple is raising three children together.

Her public efforts have drawn attention to the family’s struggle and the broader implications of U.S. immigration policy.

About Abrego Garcia’s possible Uganda deportation

Kilmar Abrego Garcia could be deported to Uganda, the Associated Press reported on Saturday, citing a court filing.

The Salvadoran man, who was mistakenly sent to the high-security CECOT prison in El Salvador by the Trump administration in March, was returned to the United States in June following a lengthy court battle to face the human smuggling charges tied to a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee.

He was then held in pre-trial detention in Tennessee, from which he was released on Friday.

Following his release, his attorneys were sent a court-required notice of his potential deportation to Uganda, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official told CBS News. He declined an offer to be sent to Costa Rica, which offered to receive him, so officials have turned to Uganda, which has agreed to receive deportees although preferably “individuals from African countries.”

Newsweek has contacted the DHS for comment via email.

Read the full story by Martha McHardy on Newsweek.

Abrego García detained by ice at Baltimore check-in

Kilmar Abrego García was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday morning after reporting to the agency’s Baltimore field office, according to his attorney. The check-in was part of the conditions of his release pending trial on federal human smuggling charges in Tennessee.

Abrego García, a Maryland construction worker, had been released from criminal custody on Friday after months of legal battles stemming from what his lawyers describe as a wrongful deportation to El Salvador earlier this year. His legal team has accused the government of retaliatory tactics, including efforts to deport him to Uganda before his trial begins.