A federal judge on Friday ruled that there is "realistic likelihood" the prosecution of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador earlier this year, was "vindictive."

"The Court holds that the totality of events creates a sufficient evidentiary basis to conclude that there is a 'realistic likelihood of vindictiveness' that entitles Abrego to discovery and requires an evidentiary hearing," U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw in Tennessee wrote in a 16-page Friday ruling.

Crenshaw, an Obama appointee, pointed to statements made by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche during a Fox News appearance alleging that his comments about the case potentially exhibited grounds for claims of “vindictiveness” in the case against Abrego........

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