Tag: Justice Department

  • US Justice Dept. Releases Epstein Files Linking Trump to Alleged Misconduct

    US Justice Dept. Releases Epstein Files Linking Trump to Alleged Misconduct

    The U.S. Justice Department has released additional FBI documents detailing interviews with a woman who claims President Donald Trump sexually assaulted her after being introduced by Jeffrey Epstein. These previously withheld records, which were mistakenly labeled as duplicates, are part of the files related to the late convicted sex offender.

    Democrats are scrutinizing how the Trump administration handled these Epstein-related documents. The newly released records include accounts of several 2019 FBI interviews with the woman, who alleges she was assaulted by Epstein and Trump when she was between 13 and 15 years old. During one of the interviews, she stated Epstein took her to an unspecified location in New York or New Jersey and introduced her to Trump.

    She also reported receiving threatening phone calls over the years warning her to stay silent, which she believes were connected to Epstein. Trump has denied any misconduct concerning Epstein. The Justice Department previously stated that some released documents include false and sensational claims against Trump.

    Critics, especially Democrats, accuse the Trump administration of concealing details of the Epstein investigation that could harm Trump’s reputation. On Wednesday, a House committee moved to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi, seeking answers about how the Justice Department managed these documents.

  • US Lawmakers Claim Bondi Concealed Epstein Associates’ Identities

    US Lawmakers Claim Bondi Concealed Epstein Associates’ Identities

    A Republican member of the United States House of Representatives criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday, accusing her of hiding the identities of influential associates linked to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during questioning about the Justice Department’s review of investigative documents. This occurred during a tense hearing before a House panel.

    Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a key supporter in pushing for the release of the files, condemned the Justice Department for failing to fully comply with legal obligations. He questioned why the name of billionaire Leslie Wexner was redacted from an FBI document that listed potential co-conspirators involved in Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation.

    Bondi responded that Wexner’s name appeared multiple times in other released files and that the DOJ had quickly unredacted his name within 40 minutes of being alerted. Massie retorted, “Forty minutes of me catching you red-handed,” emphasizing his frustration.

    Lawmakers voiced concerns over the excessive redactions, which seemed to surpass the allowable legal exceptions. Many expressed disappointment that the department had withheld or refused to publish large sections of the documents, citing legal privileges as the reason.

    During the hearing, Bondi faced aggressive questioning from committee members and exchanged heated exchanges, with some victims of Epstein’s alleged crimes present and observing. The Justice Department had recently released over 3 million pages of documents, shedding light on the ongoing connections between Epstein and various wealthy and powerful individuals after his initial conviction.

    Victims and advocates questioned the transparency of the process, highlighting instances where victims’ identities appeared to have been inadvertently exposed. Bondi defended the department’s efforts, claiming that over 500 lawyers worked diligently to review the materials, and insisted that any disclosures of victims’ identities were unintentional. She also reaffirmed her commitment to fighting for victims, citing her long career in the field.

    Les Wexner, the former CEO of Victoria’s Secret’s parent company L Brands, hired Epstein as his personal financial manager starting in the 1980s. Wexner has stated that Epstein misused his funds but denies any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities, claiming he ended his association with Epstein around 2007 after Epstein was first criminally charged.

    Throughout her tenure as Attorney General under the Trump administration, Bondi’s handling of Epstein-related disclosures has been scrutinized. Last summer, the Justice Department’s hesitation to release additional material drew criticism, especially given Epstein’s death by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

    Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington demanded an apology from Bondi to Epstein’s victims for the manner in which the files were released, including the exposure of victims’ names in some cases. Bondi responded by questioning why the same question was not posed to her predecessor under President Joe Biden’s administration and dismissed Jayapal’s concerns as theatrical.

    Bondi’s appearance happened shortly after a federal grand jury declined to indict six Democratic lawmakers over a video where they urged the U.S. military not to follow unlawful orders. The department’s history of independence appears to have diminished amid investigations targeting political figures and aligning more closely with Trump’s political interests. Past efforts to prosecute officials like ex-FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who investigated Trump, were unsuccessful.

  • Lawmaker: Ghislaine Maxwell Will Not Answer Questions in Deposition

    Lawmaker: Ghislaine Maxwell Will Not Answer Questions in Deposition

    Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Jeffrey Epstein, plans to refuse to answer questions during a deposition scheduled for Monday before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, as outlined in a letter from U.S. Representative Ro Khanna on Sunday.

    Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 for assisting Epstein in sexually abusing teenage girls and is currently serving a 20-year sentence, intends to invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination to decline answering all substantive questions, according to Khanna’s correspondence to Committee Chair James Comer.

    Maxwell’s lawyer did not immediately comment on the matter on Sunday.

    Rather than answering individual questions, Maxwell intends to deliver a prepared statement at the start of her deposition, Khanna, a California Democrat on the committee, said without revealing the source of this information.

    “This stance seems inconsistent with Maxwell’s previous behavior, as she did not invoke her Fifth Amendment rights during a prior meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to discuss similar topics,” Khanna stated in his letter seeking clarification about her upcoming testimony.

    Her deposition occurs amidst the U.S. Department of Justice releasing millions of internal documents related to Epstein.

  • Instructor and Student Sentenced to 70 and 80 Years in US Child Exploitation Case

    Instructor and Student Sentenced to 70 and 80 Years in US Child Exploitation Case

    Two individuals have been given prison sentences of 70 and 80 years in the United States for their involvement in a child sex exploitation case, according to an official statement from the FBI and the Department of Justice.

    The convictions are related to charges such as child sexual exploitation, producing and distributing child pornography, and conspiracy, following a federal court decision.

    FBI reports indicate that Wisam Sharieff, 44, from Euless, Texas, who held the title of imam and worked as an online Quran recitation instructor, was sentenced to 960 months in prison, plus lifetime supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $135,000 assessment fee under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act. Sharieff admitted guilt in June 2025 to conspiring to sexually exploit children and to multiple charges related to child pornography.

    Similarly, Blake Miller Barakat, also known as Hamna, 50, from Shelby County, Alabama, received an 840-month prison sentence with a lifetime supervised release. He was ordered to pay a $30,000 assessment. Barakat pleaded guilty in June 2025 to child sexual exploitation and possession and distribution of child pornography.

    The FBI reports that Sharieff exploited his religious title to manipulate his online student, Barakat, fostering the false and disturbing belief that sexual gratification could bring one closer to God.

    Court documents reveal that in October 2024, both men repeatedly viewed and shared adult pornography online before coercing a seven-year-old child to watch the videos. The child was then forced to perform sexually explicit acts to produce child pornography.

    U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona described these crimes as some of the most heinous in society and emphasized that federal authorities remain committed to aggressively pursuing anyone targeting children. The FBI Birmingham Division reiterated its dedication to safeguarding children and prosecuting offenders.

    This case was prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative by the Department of Justice that unites federal, state, and local efforts to combat online child sexual exploitation and assist victims.

  • Key Insights from the Epstein Files Disclosure

    Key Insights from the Epstein Files Disclosure

    The U.S. Justice Department has unveiled a fresh set of documents from its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender. These files have been a major political issue for President Donald Trump, with many of his supporters and congressional Republicans calling for their release. It remains uncertain whether this partial disclosure will quell critics’ concerns.

    Key observations from the newly released documents include:

    Limited Mentions of Trump
    Prior to the release, the main question was: How much would Trump be featured? Trump and Epstein were known to be friends and socialized regularly in the 1990s and early 2000s. Trump claimed they had a falling out in the mid-2000s, before Epstein’s first conviction in 2008. The documents, totaling hundreds of thousands of pages, notably contain few references to Trump. The Justice Department stated that additional files would be published over the next two weeks.

    An initial review by Reuters uncovered very few photos or mentions of Trump. There was one photo of Epstein with a check bearing Trump’s name and another picture taken inside Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse, where Trump’s 1997 book, Trump: The Art of the Comeback, was tucked away on a bookshelf. Previously released flight manifests list Trump and some family members among Epstein’s plane passengers. Additionally, Trump and his relatives appeared in Epstein’s contact book, which was made public during Ghislaine Maxwell’s 2021 trial. Trump has consistently denied any misconduct related to Epstein or knowledge of his illegal activities.

    Significant References to Bill Clinton
    The documents feature numerous references and photos of former President Bill Clinton. These include images of Clinton swimming with Maxwell and an unidentified individual, another with him in a hot tub, and a photo of a woman sitting beside him with her face censored. There’s also a picture of a portrait of Clinton in a blue dress hanging in Epstein’s Manhattan residence.

    The release of Clinton’s photos could clash with Department policy regarding ongoing investigations. Trump has instructed the DOJ to probe Clinton’s connection to Epstein, which critics argue might be an attempt to divert attention from Trump’s own links to Epstein. Clinton denies knowing about Epstein’s crimes and regrets ever meeting him.

    Victims, Relatives, and Other Included Material
    Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche informed Congress that over 1,200 victims and their families have been identified through an extensive review of the files. One document, Epstein’s masseuse list, contains 254 names, though all were redacted. The released files also include FBI records from investigations in 2006, 2018, and 2019 concerning Epstein’s death.

    Heavy Redactions and Democrat Criticism
    Most of the released documents are heavily redacted; for instance, a 119-page grand jury testimony was completely obscured, along with three other 100-page files. Many Democrats criticized the DOJ for not releasing all files by the Congressional deadline, citing failure to fully comply with law. Leaders like Adam Schiff called for explanations from Attorney General Pam Bondi, while Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer noted that the released material represents only a small part of all evidence. House Republican Thomas Massie criticized the partial release, saying it does not align with the law Congress enacted.

    Ultimately, the limited content and sparse mention of Trump—compared to the numerous references to Clinton—suggest that questions about Trump’s involvement with Epstein are still unresolved, and the controversy may persist.

  • US Epstein Files Reveal Clinton, Little Mention of Trump

    US Epstein Files Reveal Clinton, Little Mention of Trump

    The US Justice Department has released hundreds of thousands of pages of documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The newly released files mention President Donald Trump only minimally but highlight extensive connections to Democrat former President Bill Clinton.

    This release follows a law passed overwhelmingly by Congress last November demanding the disclosure of all Epstein-related records. Despite efforts by Trump to keep the files sealed for months, the law compelled their release. While Trump has promoted conspiracy theories about Epstein over the years, the case has become a political issue for him since returning to the White House in January.

    It’s unclear how detailed the new documents are, as many Epstein files have already been made public since his death in 2019—ruled as a suicide—while in jail. Reuters is currently examining these documents. They include evidence from multiple investigations, along with photographs of Clinton, who has often been criticized by Trump’s Republicans. Notably, the new release contains few references to Trump, with no photos or documents directly mentioning him, despite the well-known friendship between Trump and Epstein during the 1990s and early 2000s.

    This absence is striking because previous Epstein releases included images and documents involving Trump, such as flight manifests listing passengers on Epstein’s private plane, part of the first batch released in February. Both Trump and some family members were listed in Epstein’s contact book, which was made public during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former associate and girlfriend.

    Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated that more documents will be released later, possibly revealing more about Trump’s involvement. Last month, Trump ordered an investigation into Clinton’s ties to Epstein, a move some saw as an attempt to divert attention from his own connections.

    One of the newly released images shows Clinton in a swimming pool with Maxwell and another individual whose face is obscured. Clinton has previously expressed regret for socializing with Epstein and claimed he was unaware of any illegal activities.

    The Justice Department noted that all efforts were made to redact victims’ personal information, but some details might still be disclosed inadvertently. Blanche estimated it will take about two more weeks to review additional documents for release, which include over 1,200 victims or relatives listed in the files.

    The White House issued a statement claiming that this release demonstrated transparency and a commitment to justice for Epstein’s victims, criticizing previous Democratic administrations for not sharing the files. However, critics point out that Congress forced the release, especially after Trump officials earlier announced no further files would be made public this year. Democrats further argued that many of the files remain heavily redacted and that the full evidence has yet to be revealed.

    Public opinion among Trump supporters remains divided. A recent poll showed only 44% of Republican-identified adults approve of Trump’s handling of the Epstein situation, compared to an overall approval rating of 82%. This issue has already affected his political standing ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, where control of Congress is at stake.

    Following these disclosures, Trump instructed the Justice Department to investigate Epstein’s relationships with Clinton and JPMorgan Chase. Despite White House pressure to delay the release, Congress passed and Trump signed a law mandating the publication of all remaining records.

    Trump was once close with Epstein, but their relationship soured in the mid-2000s, before Epstein’s first conviction in 2008. Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoing and denies knowledge of Epstein’s sex trafficking activities.

    The law governing the release of files allows the withholding of personal victim information and materials that could interfere with ongoing investigations. Previous disclosures have revealed Epstein’s continued communications with high-profile figures, including Steve Bannon, Larry Summers, Peter Thiel, and Prince Andrew—who was later stripped of his royal titles over his links with Epstein.

    Spokespeople for Bannon, Thiel, and Prince Andrew haven’t responded to requests for comment. Summers has publicly expressed shame after documents showed he sought relationship advice from Epstein as recently as 2019, despite having a history of associations with him. JPMorgan paid $290 million in 2023 to settle claims from Epstein’s victims, having maintained Epstein as a client for five years after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor.

  • US Justice Dept Removes Extremism Study from Website

    US Justice Dept Removes Extremism Study from Website

    A study on far-right extremist violence in the United States has been quietly removed from the Justice Department’s website, AFP confirmed Tuesday. The research, conducted by the National Institute of Justice, indicated that far-right groups are predominantly responsible for fatal attacks within the country. The findings revealed that, since 1990, far-right extremists have committed significantly more ideologically motivated homicides than those linked to far-left or radical extremist groups.

    This conclusion contrasts sharply with remarks from senior Trump administration officials about the threat posed by left-wing extremism, especially in the wake of last week’s assassination of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The DOJ did not respond to inquiries about why the paper, titled “What NIJ research tells us about domestic terrorism,” was removed shortly after the deadly shooting in Utah on September 10.

    Archived versions of the Office of Justice Programmes website, captured by the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, show that the article was accessible on September 11 but was no longer available by the next afternoon, as reported by independent outlet 404 Media. An author cited in the study declined to comment on its removal when reached by AFP.

    Other research on the threat of far-right extremism remains publicly available on the department’s website. On Monday, the White House announced plans to target an alleged left-wing “domestic terror movement,” sparking concerns that such efforts could be used to suppress political dissent. While federal law enforcement actively investigates domestic terrorism, the U.S. does not maintain a list of designated “domestic terrorist organizations.”

  • Epstein Associate: No Memory of Trump in Any Inappropriate Setting

    Epstein Associate: No Memory of Trump in Any Inappropriate Setting

    Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for assisting Jeffrey Epstein in sexually abusing underage girls, told a senior Justice Department official in July that she was unaware of any “client list” related to Epstein and had never observed President Donald Trump behave inappropriately, according to a transcript of her recent interview released on Friday.

    “I have never seen the President in any improper situation,” Maxwell stated during her two-day interview last month with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “He was never inappropriate with anyone.”

    In the interview, Maxwell, 63, also claimed she never witnessed any sexual misconduct by Epstein, her former partner, nor did she implicate other notable figures in misconduct.

    “Epstein kept a lot to himself and didn’t like to share,” Maxwell explained. “He was not very forthcoming—at least, not with me.”

    The release of Maxwell’s interview transcripts and audio recordings comes amid heightened public interest in Epstein, a multimillionaire known for his associations with influential figures in culture and politics. This occurs as Trump, a Republican, attempts to manage a political controversy sparked by the Justice Department’s decision not to release certain files from its Epstein investigation, despite prior commitments to do so.

    Maxwell agreed to the interview on the condition that she would not be prosecuted for any self-incriminating statements, although she could face charges if she lied.

    Previously, Maxwell faced perjury charges for lying under oath in a 2016 deposition regarding her knowledge of Epstein’s alleged activities. Those charges were dropped after her conviction for sex trafficking in 2021.

    During her month-long trial in Manhattan, jurors heard emotional and explicit testimony from four women who claimed Maxwell recruited and groomed them for Epstein’s abuse. Three of these women said Maxwell herself touched their bare breasts or participated in the encounters, which often started with massages.

    Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. He pleaded not guilty.

    Epstein’s death, combined with his associations with powerful individuals such as Trump and Bill Clinton, has fueled conspiracy theories suggesting others involved in his crimes, and theories claiming he was murdered to hide complicity. So far, only Epstein and Maxwell have been formally charged.

    Blanche asked Maxwell if Epstein ever kept a “client list.”

    “I’m not aware of any list,” Maxwell replied.

    Maxwell, who entered a not guilty plea to her 2020 criminal charges, has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn her conviction. Her attorney, David Markus, stated that the interview supports Maxwell’s innocence, pointing out that she provided documents and objective evidence to corroborate her answers. Markus also noted her credible demeanor.

    He previously stated Maxwell has not discussed any potential pardon with Trump but would welcome such relief.

    During the interview on July 24 and 25, Maxwell’s statements emerged as Trump sought to address criticism from his conservative supporters and Democratic lawmakers regarding the Justice Department’s refusal to release Epstein-related files.

    A week after her interview, Maxwell was transferred from a low-security Florida facility to a less-restrictive prison camp in Texas.

    Trump knew Epstein socially during the 1990s and early 2000s. During Maxwell’s trial, Epstein’s longtime pilot, Lawrence Visoski, testified that Trump frequently flew on Epstein’s private plane. Trump has denied ever flying on Epstein’s aircraft.

    Maxwell told Blanche she never saw Trump accept a massage or partake in any other inappropriate conduct. Many Epstein victims describe their unwanted sexual experiences as beginning with massages.

    “From my perspective, President Trump was always very gracious and kind toward me,” Maxwell said. “And I want to acknowledge his remarkable achievement of becoming President.”

    It is uncommon for a senior Justice Department official, especially one like Blanche who has also served as Trump’s personal lawyer, to directly interview a defendant.

    Maxwell discussed her interactions with several prominent Democrats, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and billionaire Democratic donor George Soros. She did not suggest any wrongdoing by these individuals.

    She mentioned working with Bill Clinton on philanthropic activities and that he used Epstein’s private plane for a trip to Africa. However, she stated Clinton never visited Epstein’s private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Epstein was accused of abusing young girls.

  • Trump Seeks Release of Epstein Case Grand Jury Documents

    Trump Seeks Release of Epstein Case Grand Jury Documents

    US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House, Washington, DC, July 16, 2025. — Reuters

    President Donald Trump’s administration is set to request a court’s permission to disclose grand jury testimonies related to the case of Jeffrey Epstein, a deceased convicted sex offender. This move comes after some of his supporters expressed outrage over a report which stated that no evidence supported several long-running conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein.

    “Given the overwhelming media attention on Jeffrey Epstein, I’ve instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to obtain all relevant Grand Jury testimonies, pending court approval. This lies, perpetuated by the Democrats, needs to conclude immediately!” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform.

    US President Donald Trump's post on Truth Social on July 18, 2025. — Truth Social/@realDonaldTrump
    Donald Trump’s post on Truth Social, July 18, 2025. — Truth Social/@realDonaldTrump

    Shortly after Trump’s announcement, Bondi tweeted on X that the Justice Department was ready to go to court to request the unsealing of the grand jury transcripts on Friday.

    “President Trump — we’re prepared to take action in court tomorrow to release the grand jury transcripts,” Bondi tweeted.

    Following the Justice Department’s conclusion this month that there was no evidence to support many longstanding conspiracy theories regarding Epstein and his clients, some Trump supporters have begun questioning the narrative surrounding the disgraced financier.

    Previously, Bondi had promised to disclose significant revelations about Epstein, mentioning “many names” and “numerous flight logs.”

    The call for more information from Trump supporters has created a rift within his base. Trump has pushed back against these concerns, labeling the matter a hoax.

    Allegations of Epstein’s sexual abuse of minors surfaced publicly in 2006, leading to his arrest. He accepted a plea deal that year. Epstein died in 2019 while in custody after being arrested again and charged with conspiracy to traffic minors for sex.

  • Trump Urges Supreme Court to Permit No-Warning Deportations

    Trump Urges Supreme Court to Permit No-Warning Deportations

    Sure! Here’s a rewritten version in American English:


    WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump’s administration is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the deportation of migrants to other countries without prior notice or the opportunity to present reasons that may put them at risk.

    This request is part of Trump’s broader effort to expedite deportation processes and tighten immigration controls.

    The Justice Department has asked the justices to overturn a nationwide injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy from Boston. This injunction mandates that migrants must be given a chance to seek legal recourse against deportation before being sent to what are termed “third countries” while the case is still undergoing legal review.

    In its legal filing, the administration emphasized that the process of deporting migrants to third countries is essential for removing individuals who have committed crimes, particularly since many of their home countries are reluctant to accept them back.

    The administration stated, “As a result, criminal aliens often remain in the United States for extended periods, victimizing law-abiding Americans in the interim.”

    This filing is the latest of the administration’s appeals to the nation’s highest court in its attempts to gain more authority to enforce Trump’s stringent immigration policies and to contest lower court decisions that have blocked such measures.

    The administration contends that Murphy’s injunction is delaying the potential deportation of thousands of individuals and argued that the ruling disrupts delicate diplomatic relationships, foreign policy, and national security initiatives.

    In February, the Department of Homeland Security began exploring whether individuals protected from deportation to their home countries could instead be detained and sent to a third country.

    Immigrant advocacy groups have responded by initiating a class action lawsuit aimed at preventing fast-track deportations to third countries without prior notification or a chance to argue their cases concerning potential threats.

    In March, the administration released guidance indicating that if a third country can provide credible diplomatic assurances against persecution or torture, migrants could be deported there “without necessitating additional procedures.”

    If such assurances are absent, and a migrant expresses fear regarding removal to that country, U.S. authorities would evaluate the potential risk of persecution or torture and might refer the person to an immigration court.

    In April, Judge Murphy granted a preliminary injunction, indicating that the policy of executing removals to third countries without notifying migrants and allowing them to present fear-based claims likely violates the Fifth Amendment rights, which generally require the government to inform individuals and provide a hearing before taking significant actions.

    Murphy remarked that the Supreme Court, Congress, "basic decency,” and “common sense” all necessitate adequate due process for migrants.

    On May 16, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to suspend Murphy’s decision.

    The administration insists that its policy complies with due process requirements and argues that the judge’s ruling undermines the president’s "broad authority" over immigration matters.

    As with previous legal disputes surrounding Trump’s expansive executive actions, this case heightens concerns about whether the administration is disregarding court orders.

    On May 21, Murphy determined the administration had violated his order by trying to deport migrants to South Sudan.

    The migrants, currently at a military installation in Djibouti, are reported to have committed serious crimes in the U.S., such as murder, arson, and armed robbery.

    The Justice Department stated, “Consequently, the United States faces the intolerable choice of either holding these individuals for extended procedures at a military location abroad—where each day of their continued confinement risks serious harm to American foreign policy—or bringing these convicted criminals back to the U.S.”

    Murphy stipulated that non-citizens should be given at least ten days to raise claims about their safety concerns.

    In a separate order, Murphy amended his injunction to prevent the Department of Homeland Security from bypassing his ruling by transferring the management of migrants to other agencies for expedited deportation. This decision followed the administration’s claim that the U.S. Department of Defense was not bound by the court’s ruling.

    This argument surfaced after the government acknowledged that the Defense Department had transported four Venezuelan nationals held at the Guantanamo Bay naval base to El Salvador subsequent to Murphy’s initial ruling.

    After Reuters reported in May that the U.S. military might deport a group of migrants to Libya for the first time, Murphy warned that such removals would “clearly violate” his ruling.


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