A review of campaign finance records by the Washington Examiner has revealed that Judge Waverly Crenshaw Jr., an Obama-appointed federal judge involved in the recent ruling concerning Kilmar Abrego Garcia, has made substantial donations exclusively to Democratic political entities. This finding comes as Judge Crenshaw authorized the release of Abrego Garcia from criminal custody in Tennessee, a decision that has drawn attention given the high-profile nature of Garcia's case.
According to the Washington Examiner's review, Judge Crenshaw's political contributions total approximately $43,000, dating back to 1994 and extending as recently as 2014, the year before his judicial appointment. These donations include $4,600 directly to Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and an additional $2,000 earmarked for the Obama Victory Fund. He also contributed $8,450 to the Tennessee Democratic Party and $4,000 to the Democratic National Committee.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national, has been at the center of a complex legal battle after being mistakenly deported to El Salvador despite a 2019 order granting him "withholding of removal." He was later returned to the U.S. to face human smuggling charges in Tennessee. Judge Crenshaw's ruling pertained to his release from criminal detention pending trial, with the judge citing weaknesses in the government's case regarding the danger Abrego Garcia posed.
Separately, Judge Paula Xinis, another Obama appointee presiding over Abrego Garcia's wrongful deportation case in Maryland, has also issued rulings aimed at preventing his re-deportation. Judge Xinis ordered that Abrego Garcia be given 72 hours' notice if the government intended to initiate removal proceedings against him, expressing concern about the potential for immediate re-deportation. The Supreme Court partially affirmed her order, stating that Abrego Garcia's initial removal was "illegal."
The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia has become a significant point of contention in the ongoing debate over immigration policy and due process. The revelation of Judge Crenshaw's extensive political donations adds another layer to the public discourse surrounding the judicial decisions in this closely watched legal saga.