Messages reveal the DOJ told those working on the case they would need to “say fuck you to the courts” that got in the way of Trump’s immigration enforcement plan.

While preparing for the case, Reuveni sought guidance from his superiors on what claims he could make based on DOJ evidence. He was instructed to tell the judge that Abrego Garcia was a “verified member” of the gang MS-13, and that he wasn’t in any immediate danger while detained at the Salvadoran mega-prison, CECOT, although the DOJ had no evidence to support either claim. Reuveni was also warned not to verbally mention that the deportation was a mistake, as the admission was buried at the bottom of a previous court filing.

“Text messages, email exchanges, and documents show that the Department of Justice misled a federal court and disregarded a court order. Mr. Bove spearheaded this effort, which demanded attorneys violate their ethical duty of candor to the court,” US Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said in a statement. “This is a declaration of defiance of our courts at the highest level of our government.”