U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, disregarding numerous objections presented by the Trump administration, instructed the government on Tuesday to provide a more comprehensive response and reply to the discovery requests submitted by the attorneys by Wednesday evening. Kilmar Abrego Garcia .
In her written opinion, Xinis stated that the government's objections and distortions of court orders demonstrated "a deliberate and dishonest failure to adhere to discovery responsibilities."
The federal judge -- who criticized Justice Department lawyers last week for their failure to address Abrego Garcia's unjust imprisonment and instructed government officials to testify under oath via accelerated discovery -- on Tuesday criticized the government for what she termed "baseless" claims invoking various privileges "without providing any substantiating evidence or reasoning."
As Judge Xinis pointed out, since the court explicitly cautioned the defendants and their legal representatives to rigorously follow their discovery responsibilities... their generic, unspecific objections are considered inherently inadequate and indicative of an intentional disregard for both this court’s Discovery Order and the applicable regulations.
Since last week, defendants were aware that this court demands particular legal and factual justifications for any claims of privilege. However, they have persisted with generic assertions," noted Xinis. "Those days are over.
Abrego Garcia, a native of El Salvador residing in Maryland with his spouse and offspring, was deported in March To El Salvador's CECOT super-max prison--even though a court ruled in 2019 against deporting him to that nation because of concerns about potential persecution--following the Trump administration’s assertion that he was part of the criminal gang MS-13.
The Trump administration, while acknowledging Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, and authorities claim his supposed connection to MS-19 makes him unfit for returning to the U.S. However, both his spouse and legal representative have refuted these claims about his association with MS-13.
Xinis determined earlier this month that the Trump administration must “assist” in bringing back Abrego Garcia, with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling unanimously. affirmed that decision, "considering the respect owed to the Executive Branch in managing international relations."
In her opinion Tuesday, the judge also found fault with the DOJ's response to an inquiry seeking the names of all U.S. officials involved in ordering or authorizing Abrego Garcia's removal and placement at CECOT. The government provided just two names of DHS officials.
"In light of the circumstances in this case, the defendants have not responded in good faith, and their failure to do so appears to be deliberate and intentional non-compliance. The court has ordered that the defendants provide an updated response including details about all individuals as requested," the judge’s ruling noted.
On Tuesday morning, government lawyers claimed that disclosing comprehensive details regarding the legal rationale behind Abrego Garcia's detention would be "entirely inappropriate and an encroachment on diplomatic talks." This statement was made in a shared document that addressed the disagreements over evidence between both sides.
"When Abrego was sent back to El Salvador, his detention became an issue for the government of El Salvador rather than a concern of the United States’ custody. This has been clearly communicated to the plaintiffs multiple times," the government stated.
The attorneys representing Abrego Garcia stated in the letter that the Trump administration responded to their discovery requests by submitting material lacking substantial content and provided answers to interrogatories that were unresponsive.
MORE: Chronology: Inaccurate expulsion of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El SalvadorThe lawyers representing Abrego Garcia stated that the administration has asserted state secrets privilege and governmental privilege without having any basis for such claims.
The lawyers mentioned that they had extended multiple invitations to government representatives to discuss and negotiate several times, however, these officials refused to meet until Monday evening, which was right before the scheduled depositions.
The Department of Homeland Security's acting general counsel, Joseph Mazzara, was set to be deposed on Tuesday, as stated in the letter.
In the same correspondence, the government stated that they have made "a sincere attempt to furnish suitable answers to both the Plaintiffs' Inter interrogatories and their Request for Production."
In a distinct submission, lawyers representing Abrego Garcia attached as part of their exhibits the government’s objections to the initial set of accelerated questions posed by the plaintiff. The document reveals that the government asserts disclosing specifics about any diplomatic talks concerning Mr. Abrego Garcia currently might adversely affect potential outcomes.
FURTHER: Van Hollen details intense encounter with Abrego Garcia in El Salvador following his return to the USAAt the exhibition, the authorities recognized the $6 million provided to the Salvadoran government for addressing their law enforcement requirements, which encompasses detaining Venezuelan immigrants who were transported to El Salvador. CECOT mega-prison However, the government stated that Abrego Garcia and other Salvadoran nationals are not included in that agreement.
"The U.S. government has offered no particular aid regarding the detention of Abrego Garcia or any other Salvadoran national," the statement read.
The government likewise raised objections against submitting any documents or responding to queries dated before the issuance of Xinis' preliminary injunction order on April 4.
Xinis rejected that, too.
"The defendants' overly narrow interpretation of the court’s order is dismissed," she stated on Tuesday.
Xinis also directed Abrego Garcia’s lawyers to revise certain discovery requests that she deemed too extensive.
Katherine Faulders from ABC News contributed to this report.