In a recent development, a federal judge has criticized the Trump administration for allegedly disregarding court orders and hindering the legal proceedings regarding an incident involving a wrongfully deported man now imprisoned in El Salvador. The judge accused the administration of acting in “bad faith” by failing to provide necessary information about efforts, if any, made to return the individual to the United States.
In her statement, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis expressed her frustration, stating, “For weeks, Defendants have sought refuge behind vague and unsubstantiated assertions of privilege, using them as a shield to obstruct discovery and evade compliance with this Court’s orders.” She emphasized that the administration has known that specific legal and factual information is required to uphold any claim of privilege, yet has continually relied on vague assertions. The judge imposed a deadline for the information to be provided by 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
Nearly two weeks ago, the U.S. Supreme Court instructed the Trump administration to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from a high-security Salvadoran prison. This came after the administration mistakenly deported Garcia, with the Supreme Court dismissing the administration’s claim that retrieving him was not possible. While administration officials have insisted that responsibility lies with El Salvador, the Salvadoran president has also stated his inability to act on the matter. Moreover, the Trump administration has cited attorney-client privilege laws, state secret laws, and general “government privilege” as reasons for not disclosing any actions or plans concerning Garcia’s situation.
However, Judge Xinis condemned these claims as mere attempts to avoid compliance, labeling them a “willful and bad faith refusal to comply with discovery obligations.” This is not the first occurrence of the administration facing harsh criticism from federal judges regarding deportation cases.
Recently, a three-judge panel from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denounced the administration’s assertion of helplessness in freeing Abrego Garcia, labeling it “shocking.” Just days prior, a federal judge in Washington D.C. found sufficient grounds to consider holding the administration in criminal contempt for previously defying orders to stop deportation flights to El Salvador in a separate case.
The issue reflects ongoing debates about the balance of power and the rule of law, with Democrats and legal experts accusing President Donald Trump of inciting a constitutional crisis by disregarding court decisions. In contrast, the White House maintains that the real issue lies with the judiciary, which they claim is overstepping its authority.