Overview
- U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw rescheduled the Tennessee hearing to Dec. 8–9 after a Friday meeting with lawyers, with no public explanation for the change.
- Defense motions to dismiss the human-smuggling indictment for selective or vindictive prosecution remain pending after the judge said there is some evidence the case may be retaliatory.
- A separate motion seeks to suppress evidence from a 2022 Tennessee traffic stop that the defense argues was unlawful, citing an incorrect stated speed limit and lack of radar or pacing.
- A Department of Homeland Security agent previously testified he opened the smuggling probe only after the U.S. Supreme Court directed the administration in April to bring Abrego Garcia back.
- Abrego Garcia cannot be returned to El Salvador under a 2019 protection, while the administration pursues third-country removals such as Liberia that are contested in court, and a Maryland case has temporarily barred his removal.