I know this isn’t the point but is it normal for DHS officials to stay at a Ritz-Carlton on work trips?

So not only can you indict a ham sandwich, you can be indicted *by* a ham sandwich.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

As you watch the extraordinary spectacle of Trump's government attempting to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda, let's not lose sight of just how lawless and indefensible Trump's misconduct has been all throughout.

Here's a thread recapping all of it. 1/

So grateful to @gregsargent.bsky.social (#ff) for his pertinacious efforts to uncover the truth and ensure that Kilmar Abrego Garcia get a fair hearing in the court of public opinion. Still a long road ahead, but the path ahead is becoming increasingly clear. FIGHT BACK. Winning is possible.

Trump’s State Dept is partnering with 64 nations to deport immigrants to places they’ve never lived even though 91% of those nations were flagged by the U.S. itself for human rights abuses. theintercept.com/2025/07/29/t... via @theintercept.com

And we're back.

"All rise!" as Judge Crenshaw takes his seat behind the bench.

Crenshaw: Are we ready for argument?

McGuire: I'm happy to answer whatever questions the court might have about our positions or the proof

You can catch up on the evidence presented by the government during the last hearing in @rparloff.bsky.social's excellent rundown for @lawfaremedia.org.

www.lawfaremedia.org/article/what...

According to court filings submitted ahead today's hearing, the government plans to call the same witness that it did during the last hearing before the magistrate judge.

The witness is Special Agent Peter Joseph, a homeland security investigator who has worked on Abrego's case.

K: I just wanna understand what we're talking about here...

Xinis [so frustrated]: I just wanna know what's gonna happen if you choose 3rd country removal!

K: ...Once country ID'ed, Abrego will receive notice of country he will be removed to...then opportunity to express fear

Khojasteh: I apologize, your honor. Do you mind asking the question again.

Xinis points him to DHS language re: no further procedures required if diplomatic assurances received.

Khojasteh spends some time reading.

Xinis: My suggestion would be that I would enter a TRO that's just to hold the place of this hearing, saying that if he's released DHS cannot remove him beyond the confines of Tennessee [or where he's held] until we have this hearing...that's what I think will happen if we don't come back tomorrow

Giles still doesn't get it.

He asks for a bathroom break.

We're on recess.

Thanks to everyone who is still following along!

If you appreciate our live coverage, we hope you'll consider supporting our work. Thanks to all who have done so already!!

givebutter.com/journalism/a...

HAPPENING NOW: Hello again from Greenbelt, Maryland, where an ICE official is set to be questioned about the Trump administration's plans to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia if he's released from criminal custody in Tennessee.

I'm here for @lawfaremedia.org.

Follow along 🧵⬇️

Great segment from Latino USA's @reynaldoleanosjr.bsky.social on Venezuelan men sent to El Salvador's mega prison CECOT via the Alien Enemies Act. Strong context mixed with the story of one man with no criminal record, likely sent to ES because of his tattoos. www.latinousa.org/2025/04/27/c...

Federal officials have launched a full-throated effort to label Abrego García a gang member and “a terrorist,” an argument based on a gang survey that was decommissioned amid questions over racial profiling www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...

Reuveni essentially says that the government is handling the case contrary to his advice and asks for another 24 hours to try to persuade them to try to bring Abrego-Garcia back. DOJ's Reuveni: "I would ask the court to give us, the defendants, one more chance to do this."

HAPPENING NOW: Judge Paula Xinis sounds inclined to order feds to arrange return of Kilmar Abrego-Garcia, who was erroneously deported to El Salvador & put in anti-terrorism prison. Not convinced he's MS-13. "That's just chatter in my view. I haven’t been given any evidence."