#news: Abrego Garcia's lawyers ask judge for gag order against Trump officials

Kilmar Abrego Garcia's lawyers asked a federal judge in Tennessee on Thursday to prohibit top Trump officials from making remarks about their client that could bias the jury against him.

The attorneys said that administration officials have repeatedly accused Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national facing human smuggling charges, of being a criminal gang member and made other negative claims about him that pose a "substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing this proceeding."

The attorneys pointed to numerous recent instances, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem calling Abrego Garcia an "MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator."

FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS ABREGO GARCIA DEPORTATION, EXTENDING COURT FIGHT

"She also called Mr. Abrego a 'monster,'" the attorneys wrote.

This is the second time Abrego Garcia's attorneys have asked the judge to rein in statements from the administration. The judge previously responded by reminding the government to follow all typical rules and procedures for prosecutions, which include avoiding making prejudicial statements outside of court.

Abrego Garcia was erroneously deported by the Trump administration to a prison in El Salvador in March. The government claimed for nearly two months in combative hearings and court papers that it could not return him, despite an order from the Supreme Court to attempt to do so.

ABREGO GARCIA REMAINS IN US FOR NOW AS JUDGE TAKES CASE UNDER ADVISEMENT

In a surprise move in June, the Department of Justice returned him to the United States and brought an indictment against him for two counts of conspiring to transport illegal immigrants within the country.

He was released from jail last week while he awaits trial, but immigration authorities promptly re-detained him in Maryland, fulfilling fears previously expressed in court by Abrego Garcia and his lawyers.

In a separate civil case in Maryland, a judge has barred the government from deporting Abrego Garcia until at least October. It is unlikely that the DOJ would need to prove its criminal case against Abrego Garcia if he is deported.

Abrego Garcia's attorneys have said that since he was released, the Trump administration's attacks on their client outside of court have only worsened.

Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, appeared on television on Fox News this week and called Abrego Garcia "a gang member, terrorist, wife beater, pedophile, human trafficker, [and] alien smuggler," the attorneys said. Abrego Garcia was accused by his wife in 2020 of beating her. He is not facing human trafficking charges, and he has denied all the allegations against him.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

• Alpine "Water" burns 57lbs of thick flab?