Judge postpones discovery in Kilmar Abrego Garcia case for reasons unknown amid tensions with Trump admin

The federal judge overseeing Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s lawsuit against the Trump administration abruptly decided Wednesday to impose a seven-day delay on discovery for reasons that aren’t immediately clear. 

Following a sealed petition from Justice Department lawyers seeking a delay, presiding US District Judge Paula Xinis revealed in court filings that the two sides reached an agreement to postpone discovery. She did not elaborate on the decision.

Wednesday’s order marks a reversal from a day earlier, when Xinis had called for an expedited discovery and demanded that Trump administration officials testify about Abrego Garcia’s deportation

While the rationale for a potential delay is unclear, the petition comes after presiding US District Judge Paula Xinis ordered an expedited discovery and demanded that Trump administration officials testify about Abrego Garcia’s deportation.