April 15, 2025. A large crowd of protesters calling for the return of Kilmar-Abrego-Garcia,

the Maryland man, the Trump administration, sent to a notorious terrorist prison in El Salvador,

milled around the courthouse this afternoon,

where U.S. District Judge Paula Seney's held a hearing on the case.

Anna Bauer, Roger Parloff, and Ben Wittes of Lawfare watched the hearing and explained that Judge Seney's is now building the evidence to determine whether individuals in the administration

have acted in contempt of court. The court ordered the administration to facilitate

Abrago Garcia's return to the U.S., as well as to give updates on what they are doing to make that

return happen. To date, Judge Sini said, what the record shows is nothing has been done.

She dismissed the administration lawyer's argument that yesterday's Oval Office meeting between

President Donald Trump and President of El Salvador, Naib Buckele, was part of the effort to

facilitate the case.

As Bauer said, we all know what's going on, but it's impossible right now to know which individual is responsible for the stonewalling.

For that matter, Bauer added, those speaking for the administration usually deny personal

knowledge of the case, simply saying they have been made aware of the facts they are representing.

Judge Seney's called for two weeks of fact finding to determine if the Trump regime is following her orders that it facilitate his return.

The judge told Abrago Garcia's lawyers that they may conduct four depositions and apply for two more, make up to 15 document requests, and up to 15 interrogatories. These are lists of written questions that must be answered under oath and in writing.

Senees noted that every day Mr. Garcia is detained in Seacott is a day of irreparable harm.

Bauer added that the Trump regime is likely drawing this out, in part because it permits them to showcase the one part of their agenda that is still polling well.

The stage meeting with Buckely enabled officials to get widespread media

coverage for the straight-up lie that Abrago Garcia has been found to be a member of the MS-13 gang.

As Greg Sargent reported today in the New Republic, this story came from a police officer

who just weeks later was suspended for providing

...