A federal judge ordered the immediate return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the US after his wrongful deportation to El Salvador, where he was imprisoned. The judge deemed the deportation an illegal act, as the Justice Department offered no explanation for his removal despite possessing no legal authority to arrest him. Abrego Garcia, who had legal work authorization and protection from deportation, was wrongly accused of gang affiliation based on unsubstantiated claims. His wife, a US citizen, and their children await his return.
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Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordered the dismissal of all corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a decision made without prejudice and potentially subject to future refiling. Bove’s memo suggested the charges were politically motivated, a claim disputed by legal experts. The charges, which included bribery and campaign finance violations stemming from Adams’ time as Brooklyn Borough President, were brought by a Biden-appointed U.S. attorney and will be reviewed upon the confirmation of a Trump-appointed replacement. Adams and his attorney have consistently maintained his innocence.
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Acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll defied a Justice Department order to dismiss agents involved in January 6th riot investigations, refusing to provide a list of thousands of involved personnel. This action, though initially feared to result in Driscoll’s dismissal, ultimately led to the forced removal of eight senior FBI executives but not the broader list’s release. Driscoll’s defiance was met with conflicting statements from the FBI and Justice Department, but sources indicated that the Trump administration aimed to fire agents involved in January 6th cases, raising concerns about the legality of these actions and potentially chilling future investigations. Legal experts deemed the firings illegal due to lack of due process.
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At least six high-ranking FBI officials, including those overseeing cyber, national security, and criminal investigations, have been ordered to leave their positions by Monday. These personnel changes, extending a purge that began last week at the Justice Department, follow the Trump administration’s stated intention to replace leaders appointed under former FBI Director Christopher Wray. The actions have caused internal concern, particularly as the targeted officials were not involved in Trump-related prosecutions. This follows anxieties among hundreds of agents involved in investigations of the January 6th Capitol attack and Trump’s handling of classified documents, who fear similar repercussions.
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The Justice Department has ended its appeal of the dismissal of charges against Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, two co-defendants in the classified documents case against Donald Trump. This decision, aligning with the co-defendants’ wishes, effectively concludes the criminal cases against all three men. A federal judge previously dismissed the charges, ruling that the special counsel’s appointment was unconstitutional. The DOJ’s action follows the dropping of charges against Trump himself after his election victory.
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Acting Attorney General James McHenry terminated several Justice Department officials involved in prosecuting Donald Trump, citing a lack of trust in their ability to implement the president’s agenda. These career lawyers, including Molly Gaston, J.P. Cooney, Anne McNamara, and Mary Dohrmann, worked on Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigations into Trump’s handling of classified documents and attempts to overturn the 2020 election. The firings are seen as retaliatory and have been condemned by legal experts as anti-rule of law and anti-democratic. The dismissed employees retain the right to appeal their terminations through the federal Merit Systems Protection Board.
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Attorney General Merrick Garland’s handling of the investigation into Donald Trump’s actions surrounding the January 6th insurrection is widely criticized for its delay and perceived lack of decisiveness. While initially focusing on lower-level participants, Garland’s slow response to investigate Trump directly allowed time for the Supreme Court and other actors to hinder subsequent prosecutions. This inaction, coupled with the Supreme Court’s decision in *Trump v. United States*, is argued to have significantly weakened efforts to hold Trump accountable, ultimately contributing to the rise of reactionary forces. The author contends that Garland’s failure to act swiftly represents a significant dereliction of duty.
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A federal judge blocked the Justice Department from releasing to Congress the portion of Jack Smith’s report detailing his classified documents investigation of President Trump. Judge Aileen Cannon granted a request from Trump’s co-defendants, citing concerns that the release would prejudice their ongoing criminal proceedings. She rejected the Justice Department’s argument that releasing the report was a historical practice, emphasizing the lack of congressional subpoenas or pending legislation related to the report. The judge found the Department’s justification insufficient and determined that congressional access would likely lead to public dissemination of sensitive information.
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Jack Smith’s final report on the January 6th case unequivocally states that his case against Donald Trump was robust enough to secure a conviction. This declaration, while seemingly straightforward, carries significant weight given the intense scrutiny and political polarization surrounding the investigation. It highlights the strength of the evidence gathered and the legal arguments developed by Smith’s team, suggesting a high probability of success had the trial proceeded as planned.
The report’s conclusion directly addresses the central question of whether the prosecution’s case was viable. By stating that it could have “sustained a conviction,” Smith effectively counters any claims that the investigation was weak or lacked sufficient evidence to bring a successful prosecution.… Continue reading
Following Donald Trump’s reelection, Special Counsel Jack Smith’s cases against him concluded due to Justice Department guidelines prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president. Smith’s resignation, characterized by Trump as a firing, prompted a flurry of attacks from the president-elect, fueled by concerns over the impending release of Smith’s final report. Trump’s efforts to block the report’s release, despite a draft review by his legal team, highlight a potential legal battle. The report’s ultimate public release remains uncertain, with the possibility of Supreme Court involvement.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood