Whistleblower claims Trump officials fabricated MS‑13 leader claims to frame Abrego Garcia
A whistleblower and a former Justice Department official provided damning evidence Thursday of a Trump administration plot to frame Maryland resident
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, 29, as a MS-13 gang leader.
The emails, provided to Congress by a whistleblower and seasoned DOJ veteran who's been with the agency for 15 years, claim that government officials sought to
fabricate the narrative that Garcia was not an ordinary family man from Maryland, but an active MS-13 gang member who was in a position of power.
The Trump administration wrongfully deported Abrego Garcia to his home country of El Salvador in March where he resided in the
Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), which is notorious for violating the human rights of inmates. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt admitted Abrego garcia's ousting was an "administrative error" but maintained he was a violent criminal whose deportation was justified.
However, the emails, which were first obtained by The New Republic, say the 29-year-old was the target of a smear campaign that provided no evidence to support the government's claims. Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled that the White House must "facilitate the return" of Abrego Garcia so he can undergo trial—the father was just returned in early June but now faces human smuggling charges.
The eye-opening evidence was sent by Erez Reuveni who worked at the DOJ for 15 years before being abruptly fired over his dissent of officials' handling of the Maryland man's case. Abrego Garcia had been living in the US under a form of protected status granted by an immigration judge in 2019, who determined the 29-year-old's life would be in danger if sent back to his home country.
Reuveni formally submitted the complaint to the DOJ's inspector general and to the Senate and House judiciary committees on June 24, alleging that officials engage in egregious misconduct. One of the worst offenses was committed by the leader Emil Bove, an outspoken Trump ally.
Bove reportedly told agents they may have to flout court orders aimed at pausing hasty deportations, which were being made under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, and tell judges "f--- you."
Later on March 31, James Percival, senior counselor to the Homeland Security Secretary, was debating with Reuveni and other top officials what allegations could be pinned on the 29-year-old. The emails revealed the list what officials of the DHS, DOJ and State departments were thinking of alleging against Abrego Garcia to quell concerns that the Trump administration wrongfully deported an innocent man, who recently confirmed that he was beaten and tortured while in CECOT.
Reuveni protested the ideas, claiming they would have stark legal consequences and create "very bad law." In response, the DOJ fired him.