TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Dec 31, 2025

U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw in Nashville has ordered the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to hand over internal emails and records showing why high-level officials pushed for criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The order, issued on Dec. 3, recently was unsealed, according to The Tennessean. Prosecutors have said officials provided "appropriate oversight" in the case. The order came in proceedings challenging Abrego Garcia's prosecution as vindictive. In October, Crenshaw ruled there is some evidence the government brought charges out of vindictiveness. He set the next hearing for Jan. 26, 2026. Abrego Garcia faces two charges in Tennessee: conspiracy to transport aliens and unlawful transportation of undocumented aliens. In related news, immigration officials now say they do not plan to detain Abrego Garcia again as long as a judge’s order banning it stands, according to the Associated Press.