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US Politics: Maryland Senator Engages with Ábrego García in El Salvador Amidst US Return Dispute
Welcome to our live coverage of US politics. Stay informed with the latest developments throughout the day, as we bring you up-to-the-minute news and analysis.
Leading off, Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen has convened with Kilmar Ábrego García in El Salvador. Ábrego García, previously deported by the Trump administration in March despite an active immigration court order preventing his removal, is at the center of a legal and political crossfire.
Senator Van Hollen publicized a photograph from the meeting on social media platform X, also mentioning a call to Ábrego García’s wife “to convey sentiments of affection.”
The lawmaker did not offer updates concerning Ábrego García’s current situation. Legal representatives for Ábrego García continue to challenge the Trump administration to facilitate his repatriation to the United States.
Details regarding the meeting’s organization, location, and Ábrego García’s future remain unclear. Nayib Bukele, the President of El Salvador, disseminated images of the encounter shortly before Senator Van Hollen’s post, stating, “Now that he’s been confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador’s custody.”
A federal appeals court delivered a sharp rebuke on Thursday, characterizing the Trump administration’s assertion of inability to secure Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release from detention in El Salvador and subsequent return to the US as “shocking.” This judicial statement escalates the growing discord between the executive and judicial branches of the government.
A panel of three judges from the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously rejected a motion to suspend a judge’s mandate for sworn testimony from Trump administration officials. The aim of this testimony is to ascertain whether they adhered to the instruction to enable Abrego Garcia’s return.
Judge J Harvie Wilkinson III, a Republican appointee by President Ronald Reagan, conveyed his and his colleagues’ conviction: “we cling to the hope that it is not naïve to believe our good brethren in the Executive Branch perceive the rule of law as vital to the American ethos.”
For a comprehensive overview, please see the related report: Maryland senator meets Kilmar Ábrego García in El Salvador amid battle over US return.
Further Developments in US News:
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Congressional Inquiry into Harvard University: James Comer, head of the House oversight committee, and Elise Stefanik, leading the House Republican conference, have initiated an investigation into Harvard University. The Ivy League institution faces accusations of “insufficient adherence to civil rights statutes.”
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SpaceX in Missile Defense Shield Race: Elon Musk’s SpaceX, along with two partner entities, are considered frontrunners in the bidding process for a critical component of Donald Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense shield initiative.
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Supreme Court to Review Birthright Citizenship: The Supreme Court has announced it will hear arguments next month concerning Donald Trump’s endeavor to impose restrictions on automatic birthright citizenship.
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Appeals Court Warns Trump Administration: A US appeals court, in a unanimous ruling issued today, cautioned the Trump administration that persistent conflicts with the judiciary may erode public trust in governmental institutions.
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Trade Deal Progress Anticipated: Despite recent heightened rhetoric, the president indicated to reporters at the Oval Office on Thursday his expectation that trade agreements could be finalized within “the next three to four weeks.”
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Federal Hiring Freeze Extended: President Trump has prolonged the government-wide federal hiring freeze, initially scheduled to lapse this weekend.
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HUD Headquarters Sale Contemplated: The Washington DC headquarters of the Department of Housing and Urban Development is potentially being prepared for sale.