Justice Department Seeks to Revive Criminal Case Against Kilmar Abrego Garcia After Judge's Rebuke
The Justice Department is appealing a federal judge's ruling that dismissed human smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national. U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw had previously thrown out the charges, criticizing the case as an 'abuse of prosecuting power' and suggesting it was brought in retaliation after Abrego Garcia successfully sued the government over his mistaken 2025 deportation. The judge found evidence of 'presumptive vindictiveness,' noting that Homeland Security had been aware of the 2022 traffic stop, which formed the basis of the charges, for over two years before Abrego Garcia's deportation. The case was only reopened and investigated after he was ordered returned to the U.S. The Justice Department, in its appeal to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, argues that Judge Crenshaw erred and that statements made by then-deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, which suggested targeting Abrego Garcia, reflected a legitimate motive to protect the public and confirm... 
