JUST IN: Jack Smith provides new details about the origins of the classified documents case against Trump, including how Biden WH counsel came to be involved — with knowledge and participation of Trump's representatives. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…
Smith repeatedly describes the "cautious" and "incremental approach" that government officials took toward Trump's retention of sensitive documents. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…
Prosecutors accuse Trump attorneys of making ominous sounding claims about an "undifferentiated" Biden administration when, drilling down, it's distinct career officials at different agencies exercise "specific portfolios and responsibilities." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…
NEW: Jack Smith used tonight’s filing — ostensibly to Judge Cannon — to mount an unbridled defense of his documents case against Trump, one that seemed more akin to an opening argument a jury might hear.
NEWS: After canceling thousands of foreign students' immigration records — threatening their ability to study and live in the US — the Trump administration has reversed course and restored them all.
It follows intense pushback from courts across the country.
Details TK
ICE had terminated the records of thousands of students from a federal database called SEVIS that tracks their legal status in the country. The effect of those terminations was in dispute, but many students said they had been barred from continuing their studies and were at risk of deportation.
The reason ICE appeared to have canceled their SEVIS records? Minor legal infractions that showed up in criminal history searches — which the law explicitly says is not a basis to deny a foreign student, studying on an F1 visa, their legal status.
Now, after dozens of judges across the country flagged the likely illegality, ICE says it won't do that anymore. politico.com/news/2025/04/2…
By my count, there had been 103 lawsuits filed in the last 20 days, and judges had issued 50 restraining orders requiring the Trump administration to reverse the SEVIS terminations. Those decisions came in more than 23 states and from judges appointed by several presidents, including Trump. politico.com/news/2025/04/2…
It is unfathomable that Martin was unaware of the widely publicized allegations about Hale-Cusanelli, who he has interviewed for hours and whose case made national headlines for years after Jan.6.
BUSY NIGHT FOR THE COURTS: Late last night, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction barring DOGE’s access to sensitive Social Securitt data, saying the government flouted the law to provide unfettered access to DOGE without a reasonable basis. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…
ALIEN ENEMIES ACT: The Trump administration filed an emergency motion to block Judge Boasberg’s initiation of contempt proceedings, saying his suggestion of forcing the administration to prosecute itself — or bring back deported Venezuelans — is unconstitutional.”
DISMANTLING CFPB: Judge Amy Berman Jackson has called a 10am hearing on whether the Trump administration violated her order against large-scale dismantling of the agency. She is seeking details of a purported reduction in force and the order to implement it.
JUST IN: Judge Boasberg finds probable cause to hold administration in contempt of court for defying his order to turn around planes, demands new details in order for officials to “purge” their contempt. Details TK
BOASBERG said the evidence shows willful defiance by the Trump administration that amounts to criminal contempt. Full 46-page opinion: ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_p…
Boasberg cites the administration’s gloating after his order was violated, noting the snarky “oppose”tweet from Bukele and how it was amplified by administration officials.: ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_p…
DOJ provides no new information on Abrego Garcia but says if he manages to return to the US, they'll detain him and remove him to a different country (not El Salvador) or seek to "terminate" his order of removal and send him back to El Salvador...
Joseph Mazzara, ICE's general counsel, filed this update with the court. He also is present in court today.
Abrego Garcia's lawyers say there's no evidence the Trump administration has done anything to comply with the order to facilitate his return from El Salvador. They want depositions, interrogatories and documents.
JUST IN: The Trump administration says it has "no updates" for Judge Xinis about efforts to facilitate return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Reiterates that a judge in 2019 viewed him as a member of MS-13.
THERE'S MORE: In a separate filing, the govenrment says its arrangement with El Salvador to house deportees in the notorious CECOT prison is classified. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…
NEW: The Trump administration says it has no legal obligation to help Kilmar Abrego Garcia get to the United States. And the details of its arrangement with El Salvador to house U.S. deportees are classified, they say.