https://www.profitableratecpm.com/f4ffsdxe?key=39b1ebce72f3758345b2155c98e6709c
GREENBELT, MD — If the Justice Department had openly defied a judge’s order a year ago as it did again today in the Abrego Garcia case, it would have made headlines and created a buzz in legal circles.
But ten months into Trump II’s presidency, it has become all too normal for his Justice Department to refuse to comply with direct court orders, engage in bad faith charades in court, and challenge judges to do anything about it.
The case of Abrego Garcia — the Salvadoran wrongfully deported to his home country in March in violation of an immigration judge’s order — is perhaps where the Trump administration has been most persistent and defiant for the longest time. His refusal to correct his mistake and bring him back sparked a constitutional dispute that ended up in the Supreme Court, and he only brought him back after indicting him for unrelated crimes.
There is no need to go into too much detail to understand the significance of what happened today.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
Rand asked Cantú if anyone had given him a copy of Xinis’ order to testify on Monday. No, says Cantú.
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
Unsurprisingly, things got more difficult during cross-examination by Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Sascha Rand. The gist of Cantú’s testimony was that he had never been involved in the Abrego Garcia case before and had only been in his current position since November 3. A State Department lawyer told him what to put in his statement during a five-minute call and simultaneous email on November 7. Most (but not all) of the portions of the statement critical to today’s hearing were verbatim what he received from State Department lawyers.
Rand asked Cantú if anyone had given him a copy of Xinis’ order to testify on Monday. No, says Cantú.
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
“They were just passed on to me,” Cantú said, “and then we met.”
Unsurprisingly, things got more difficult during cross-examination by Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Sascha Rand. The gist of Cantú’s testimony was that he had never been involved in the Abrego Garcia case before and had only been in his current position since November 3. A State Department lawyer told him what to put in his statement during a five-minute call and simultaneous email on November 7. Most (but not all) of the portions of the statement critical to today’s hearing were verbatim what he received from State Department lawyers.
Rand asked Cantú if anyone had given him a copy of Xinis’ order to testify on Monday. No, says Cantú.
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
“When you say you don’t know what those words mean, were they just passed down to you? » » asked Xinis.
“They were just passed on to me,” Cantú said, “and then we met.”
Unsurprisingly, things got more difficult during cross-examination by Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Sascha Rand. The gist of Cantú’s testimony was that he had never been involved in the Abrego Garcia case before and had only been in his current position since November 3. A State Department lawyer told him what to put in his statement during a five-minute call and simultaneous email on November 7. Most (but not all) of the portions of the statement critical to today’s hearing were verbatim what he received from State Department lawyers.
Rand asked Cantú if anyone had given him a copy of Xinis’ order to testify on Monday. No, says Cantú.
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
“With the help of a lawyer,” Cantú said.
“When you say you don’t know what those words mean, were they just passed down to you? » » asked Xinis.
“They were just passed on to me,” Cantú said, “and then we met.”
Unsurprisingly, things got more difficult during cross-examination by Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Sascha Rand. The gist of Cantú’s testimony was that he had never been involved in the Abrego Garcia case before and had only been in his current position since November 3. A State Department lawyer told him what to put in his statement during a five-minute call and simultaneous email on November 7. Most (but not all) of the portions of the statement critical to today’s hearing were verbatim what he received from State Department lawyers.
Rand asked Cantú if anyone had given him a copy of Xinis’ order to testify on Monday. No, says Cantú.
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
After the third impasse, Judge Xinis intervened: “Did you write this statement?
“With the help of a lawyer,” Cantú said.
“When you say you don’t know what those words mean, were they just passed down to you? » » asked Xinis.
“They were just passed on to me,” Cantú said, “and then we met.”
Unsurprisingly, things got more difficult during cross-examination by Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Sascha Rand. The gist of Cantú’s testimony was that he had never been involved in the Abrego Garcia case before and had only been in his current position since November 3. A State Department lawyer told him what to put in his statement during a five-minute call and simultaneous email on November 7. Most (but not all) of the portions of the statement critical to today’s hearing were verbatim what he received from State Department lawyers.
Rand asked Cantú if anyone had given him a copy of Xinis’ order to testify on Monday. No, says Cantú.
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
When Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Guynn – questioning his own witness, I should point out – pointed Cantú to each of three different passages in his statement and asked him what they meant, Cantú was unable to say.
After the third impasse, Judge Xinis intervened: “Did you write this statement?
“With the help of a lawyer,” Cantú said.
“When you say you don’t know what those words mean, were they just passed down to you? » » asked Xinis.
“They were just passed on to me,” Cantú said, “and then we met.”
Unsurprisingly, things got more difficult during cross-examination by Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Sascha Rand. The gist of Cantú’s testimony was that he had never been involved in the Abrego Garcia case before and had only been in his current position since November 3. A State Department lawyer told him what to put in his statement during a five-minute call and simultaneous email on November 7. Most (but not all) of the portions of the statement critical to today’s hearing were verbatim what he received from State Department lawyers.
Rand asked Cantú if anyone had given him a copy of Xinis’ order to testify on Monday. No, says Cantú.
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
Despite Xinis’ efforts, things went off the rails very quickly in court today.
When Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Guynn – questioning his own witness, I should point out – pointed Cantú to each of three different passages in his statement and asked him what they meant, Cantú was unable to say.
After the third impasse, Judge Xinis intervened: “Did you write this statement?
“With the help of a lawyer,” Cantú said.
“When you say you don’t know what those words mean, were they just passed down to you? » » asked Xinis.
“They were just passed on to me,” Cantú said, “and then we met.”
Unsurprisingly, things got more difficult during cross-examination by Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Sascha Rand. The gist of Cantú’s testimony was that he had never been involved in the Abrego Garcia case before and had only been in his current position since November 3. A State Department lawyer told him what to put in his statement during a five-minute call and simultaneous email on November 7. Most (but not all) of the portions of the statement critical to today’s hearing were verbatim what he received from State Department lawyers.
Rand asked Cantú if anyone had given him a copy of Xinis’ order to testify on Monday. No, says Cantú.
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
So, following the conference call, Xinis issued an order commemorating his instructions to DOJ attorneys. In short, Xinis ordered them to subpoena ICE official John E. Cantú to testify in person on the merits of a declaration he had already submitted in the case. His testimony should be binding on the Department of Homeland Security, she ordered, and the government and Justice Department attorneys should make a good faith effort to prepare him to testify based on his personal knowledge and/or that he has obtained from others.
Despite Xinis’ efforts, things went off the rails very quickly in court today.
When Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Guynn – questioning his own witness, I should point out – pointed Cantú to each of three different passages in his statement and asked him what they meant, Cantú was unable to say.
After the third impasse, Judge Xinis intervened: “Did you write this statement?
“With the help of a lawyer,” Cantú said.
“When you say you don’t know what those words mean, were they just passed down to you? » » asked Xinis.
“They were just passed on to me,” Cantú said, “and then we met.”
Unsurprisingly, things got more difficult during cross-examination by Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Sascha Rand. The gist of Cantú’s testimony was that he had never been involved in the Abrego Garcia case before and had only been in his current position since November 3. A State Department lawyer told him what to put in his statement during a five-minute call and simultaneous email on November 7. Most (but not all) of the portions of the statement critical to today’s hearing were verbatim what he received from State Department lawyers.
Rand asked Cantú if anyone had given him a copy of Xinis’ order to testify on Monday. No, says Cantú.
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
This time, Xinis attempted to close the government’s escape route and force it to bring a viable witness, not a cipher, with no involvement in the Abrego Garcia affair, no knowledge of negotiations with third countries, and no authority to bind the government, as he said had happened three times before.
So, following the conference call, Xinis issued an order commemorating his instructions to DOJ attorneys. In short, Xinis ordered them to subpoena ICE official John E. Cantú to testify in person on the merits of a declaration he had already submitted in the case. His testimony should be binding on the Department of Homeland Security, she ordered, and the government and Justice Department attorneys should make a good faith effort to prepare him to testify based on his personal knowledge and/or that he has obtained from others.
Despite Xinis’ efforts, things went off the rails very quickly in court today.
When Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Guynn – questioning his own witness, I should point out – pointed Cantú to each of three different passages in his statement and asked him what they meant, Cantú was unable to say.
After the third impasse, Judge Xinis intervened: “Did you write this statement?
“With the help of a lawyer,” Cantú said.
“When you say you don’t know what those words mean, were they just passed down to you? » » asked Xinis.
“They were just passed on to me,” Cantú said, “and then we met.”
Unsurprisingly, things got more difficult during cross-examination by Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Sascha Rand. The gist of Cantú’s testimony was that he had never been involved in the Abrego Garcia case before and had only been in his current position since November 3. A State Department lawyer told him what to put in his statement during a five-minute call and simultaneous email on November 7. Most (but not all) of the portions of the statement critical to today’s hearing were verbatim what he received from State Department lawyers.
Rand asked Cantú if anyone had given him a copy of Xinis’ order to testify on Monday. No, says Cantú.
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
“This has been a strategy by you on behalf of your client since day one,” she chastised the DOJ lawyers on the call.
This time, Xinis attempted to close the government’s escape route and force it to bring a viable witness, not a cipher, with no involvement in the Abrego Garcia affair, no knowledge of negotiations with third countries, and no authority to bind the government, as he said had happened three times before.
So, following the conference call, Xinis issued an order commemorating his instructions to DOJ attorneys. In short, Xinis ordered them to subpoena ICE official John E. Cantú to testify in person on the merits of a declaration he had already submitted in the case. His testimony should be binding on the Department of Homeland Security, she ordered, and the government and Justice Department attorneys should make a good faith effort to prepare him to testify based on his personal knowledge and/or that he has obtained from others.
Despite Xinis’ efforts, things went off the rails very quickly in court today.
When Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Guynn – questioning his own witness, I should point out – pointed Cantú to each of three different passages in his statement and asked him what they meant, Cantú was unable to say.
After the third impasse, Judge Xinis intervened: “Did you write this statement?
“With the help of a lawyer,” Cantú said.
“When you say you don’t know what those words mean, were they just passed down to you? » » asked Xinis.
“They were just passed on to me,” Cantú said, “and then we met.”
Unsurprisingly, things got more difficult during cross-examination by Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Sascha Rand. The gist of Cantú’s testimony was that he had never been involved in the Abrego Garcia case before and had only been in his current position since November 3. A State Department lawyer told him what to put in his statement during a five-minute call and simultaneous email on November 7. Most (but not all) of the portions of the statement critical to today’s hearing were verbatim what he received from State Department lawyers.
Rand asked Cantú if anyone had given him a copy of Xinis’ order to testify on Monday. No, says Cantú.
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
She pointed out that the government defied a separate order of hers in October — “no other way to sugarcoat it,” she said — by calling a witness who had no direct personal knowledge of the subject of his testimony. More than just an act of defiance, the administration engaged in a pattern of producing unresponsive witnesses, Xinis said.
“This has been a strategy by you on behalf of your client since day one,” she chastised the DOJ lawyers on the call.
This time, Xinis attempted to close the government’s escape route and force it to bring a viable witness, not a cipher, with no involvement in the Abrego Garcia affair, no knowledge of negotiations with third countries, and no authority to bind the government, as he said had happened three times before.
So, following the conference call, Xinis issued an order commemorating his instructions to DOJ attorneys. In short, Xinis ordered them to subpoena ICE official John E. Cantú to testify in person on the merits of a declaration he had already submitted in the case. His testimony should be binding on the Department of Homeland Security, she ordered, and the government and Justice Department attorneys should make a good faith effort to prepare him to testify based on his personal knowledge and/or that he has obtained from others.
Despite Xinis’ efforts, things went off the rails very quickly in court today.
When Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Guynn – questioning his own witness, I should point out – pointed Cantú to each of three different passages in his statement and asked him what they meant, Cantú was unable to say.
After the third impasse, Judge Xinis intervened: “Did you write this statement?
“With the help of a lawyer,” Cantú said.
“When you say you don’t know what those words mean, were they just passed down to you? » » asked Xinis.
“They were just passed on to me,” Cantú said, “and then we met.”
Unsurprisingly, things got more difficult during cross-examination by Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Sascha Rand. The gist of Cantú’s testimony was that he had never been involved in the Abrego Garcia case before and had only been in his current position since November 3. A State Department lawyer told him what to put in his statement during a five-minute call and simultaneous email on November 7. Most (but not all) of the portions of the statement critical to today’s hearing were verbatim what he received from State Department lawyers.
Rand asked Cantú if anyone had given him a copy of Xinis’ order to testify on Monday. No, says Cantú.
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis wanted a definitive, binding accounting from the Trump administration on its assertion that Costa Rica had indeed withdrawn the offer, something more than simply taking the administration’s word for it. To that end, and in an attempt to avoid another debacle in court, Xinis held a conference call with the parties Monday before today’s hearing and chastised the DOJ lawyers.
She pointed out that the government defied a separate order of hers in October — “no other way to sugarcoat it,” she said — by calling a witness who had no direct personal knowledge of the subject of his testimony. More than just an act of defiance, the administration engaged in a pattern of producing unresponsive witnesses, Xinis said.
“This has been a strategy by you on behalf of your client since day one,” she chastised the DOJ lawyers on the call.
This time, Xinis attempted to close the government’s escape route and force it to bring a viable witness, not a cipher, with no involvement in the Abrego Garcia affair, no knowledge of negotiations with third countries, and no authority to bind the government, as he said had happened three times before.
So, following the conference call, Xinis issued an order commemorating his instructions to DOJ attorneys. In short, Xinis ordered them to subpoena ICE official John E. Cantú to testify in person on the merits of a declaration he had already submitted in the case. His testimony should be binding on the Department of Homeland Security, she ordered, and the government and Justice Department attorneys should make a good faith effort to prepare him to testify based on his personal knowledge and/or that he has obtained from others.
Despite Xinis’ efforts, things went off the rails very quickly in court today.
When Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Guynn – questioning his own witness, I should point out – pointed Cantú to each of three different passages in his statement and asked him what they meant, Cantú was unable to say.
After the third impasse, Judge Xinis intervened: “Did you write this statement?
“With the help of a lawyer,” Cantú said.
“When you say you don’t know what those words mean, were they just passed down to you? » » asked Xinis.
“They were just passed on to me,” Cantú said, “and then we met.”
Unsurprisingly, things got more difficult during cross-examination by Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Sascha Rand. The gist of Cantú’s testimony was that he had never been involved in the Abrego Garcia case before and had only been in his current position since November 3. A State Department lawyer told him what to put in his statement during a five-minute call and simultaneous email on November 7. Most (but not all) of the portions of the statement critical to today’s hearing were verbatim what he received from State Department lawyers.
Rand asked Cantú if anyone had given him a copy of Xinis’ order to testify on Monday. No, says Cantú.
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
The Trump administration wants to deport Abrego Garcia somewhere in Africa, most recently Liberia. At one point, Costa Rica was on the table and Abrego Garcia is now willing to accept expulsion there, but the Trump administration says Costa Rica withdrew its offer.
U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis wanted a definitive, binding accounting from the Trump administration on its assertion that Costa Rica had indeed withdrawn the offer, something more than simply taking the administration’s word for it. To that end, and in an attempt to avoid another debacle in court, Xinis held a conference call with the parties Monday before today’s hearing and chastised the DOJ lawyers.
She pointed out that the government defied a separate order of hers in October — “no other way to sugarcoat it,” she said — by calling a witness who had no direct personal knowledge of the subject of his testimony. More than just an act of defiance, the administration engaged in a pattern of producing unresponsive witnesses, Xinis said.
“This has been a strategy by you on behalf of your client since day one,” she chastised the DOJ lawyers on the call.
This time, Xinis attempted to close the government’s escape route and force it to bring a viable witness, not a cipher, with no involvement in the Abrego Garcia affair, no knowledge of negotiations with third countries, and no authority to bind the government, as he said had happened three times before.
So, following the conference call, Xinis issued an order commemorating his instructions to DOJ attorneys. In short, Xinis ordered them to subpoena ICE official John E. Cantú to testify in person on the merits of a declaration he had already submitted in the case. His testimony should be binding on the Department of Homeland Security, she ordered, and the government and Justice Department attorneys should make a good faith effort to prepare him to testify based on his personal knowledge and/or that he has obtained from others.
Despite Xinis’ efforts, things went off the rails very quickly in court today.
When Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Guynn – questioning his own witness, I should point out – pointed Cantú to each of three different passages in his statement and asked him what they meant, Cantú was unable to say.
After the third impasse, Judge Xinis intervened: “Did you write this statement?
“With the help of a lawyer,” Cantú said.
“When you say you don’t know what those words mean, were they just passed down to you? » » asked Xinis.
“They were just passed on to me,” Cantú said, “and then we met.”
Unsurprisingly, things got more difficult during cross-examination by Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Sascha Rand. The gist of Cantú’s testimony was that he had never been involved in the Abrego Garcia case before and had only been in his current position since November 3. A State Department lawyer told him what to put in his statement during a five-minute call and simultaneous email on November 7. Most (but not all) of the portions of the statement critical to today’s hearing were verbatim what he received from State Department lawyers.
Rand asked Cantú if anyone had given him a copy of Xinis’ order to testify on Monday. No, says Cantú.
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
The Trump administration wants to deport Abrego Garcia somewhere in Africa, most recently Liberia. At one point, Costa Rica was on the table and Abrego Garcia is now willing to accept expulsion there, but the Trump administration says Costa Rica withdrew its offer.
U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis wanted a definitive, binding accounting from the Trump administration on its assertion that Costa Rica had indeed withdrawn the offer, something more than simply taking the administration’s word for it. To that end, and in an attempt to avoid another debacle in court, Xinis held a conference call with the parties Monday before today’s hearing and chastised the DOJ lawyers.
She pointed out that the government defied a separate order of hers in October — “no other way to sugarcoat it,” she said — by calling a witness who had no direct personal knowledge of the subject of his testimony. More than just an act of defiance, the administration engaged in a pattern of producing unresponsive witnesses, Xinis said.
“This has been a strategy by you on behalf of your client since day one,” she chastised the DOJ lawyers on the call.
This time, Xinis attempted to close the government’s escape route and force it to bring a viable witness, not a cipher, with no involvement in the Abrego Garcia affair, no knowledge of negotiations with third countries, and no authority to bind the government, as he said had happened three times before.
So, following the conference call, Xinis issued an order commemorating his instructions to DOJ attorneys. In short, Xinis ordered them to subpoena ICE official John E. Cantú to testify in person on the merits of a declaration he had already submitted in the case. His testimony should be binding on the Department of Homeland Security, she ordered, and the government and Justice Department attorneys should make a good faith effort to prepare him to testify based on his personal knowledge and/or that he has obtained from others.
Despite Xinis’ efforts, things went off the rails very quickly in court today.
When Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Guynn – questioning his own witness, I should point out – pointed Cantú to each of three different passages in his statement and asked him what they meant, Cantú was unable to say.
After the third impasse, Judge Xinis intervened: “Did you write this statement?
“With the help of a lawyer,” Cantú said.
“When you say you don’t know what those words mean, were they just passed down to you? » » asked Xinis.
“They were just passed on to me,” Cantú said, “and then we met.”
Unsurprisingly, things got more difficult during cross-examination by Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Sascha Rand. The gist of Cantú’s testimony was that he had never been involved in the Abrego Garcia case before and had only been in his current position since November 3. A State Department lawyer told him what to put in his statement during a five-minute call and simultaneous email on November 7. Most (but not all) of the portions of the statement critical to today’s hearing were verbatim what he received from State Department lawyers.
Rand asked Cantú if anyone had given him a copy of Xinis’ order to testify on Monday. No, says Cantú.
Xinis interjected again: “Have you had conversations with anyone regarding my order that the witness engage DHS?”
“No, your honor,” Cantú said.
She then asked if Cantú independently knew if anyone from the state had been in contact with Costa Rica. No, says Cantú.
Cantú ultimately stated that he had no independent knowledge of the critical sections of the declaration.
While Cantú was still on the stand, Judge Xinis said, “The witness has no information about the content of the statement.” Catching herself, she turned to Cantú: “That’s no offense to you, Mr. Cantú. You’ve been frank and I appreciate that.”
Xinis then heard arguments from both sides on the pending motions, but took no punitive action for the government’s conduct today. His modus operandi so far has been to stay focused on the most pressing issues related to the detention and deportation of Abrego Garcia.
As the four-hour hearing drew to a close, Judge Xinis again deplored Cantú’s testimony.
“Poor Mr. Cantú didn’t know anything about anything,” Xinish said. “Today was zero, in my opinion.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, confirmed: “It’s been a parade of less than memorable witnesses, your honor.”
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