Obama-appointed U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has ruled that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cannot re-detain Kilmar Abrego-Garcia, an illegal alien from El Salvador facing human smuggling charges.

Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national, has long been on the radar of U.S. law enforcement for his affiliations with the notorious MS-13 gang, also known as Mara Salvatrucha.

Breitbart News reports:

The government “made one empty threat after another to remove him to countries in Africa with no real chance of success,” U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, in Maryland, wrote in her Tuesday order. “From this, the Court easily concludes that there is no ‘good reason to believe’ removal is likely in the reasonably foreseeable future.”

Abrego Garcia has an American wife and child and has lived in Maryland for years, but he immigrated to the U.S. illegally as a teenager. In 2019, an immigration judge ruled that he could not be deported to El Salvador because he faced danger there from a gang that had threatened his family. By mistake, he was deported there anyway last year.

Facing public pressure and a court order, President Donald Trump’s administration brought him back in June, but only after securing an indictment charging him with human smuggling in Tennessee. He has pleaded not guilty. Meanwhile, Trump officials have said he cannot stay in the U.S. In court filings, officials have said they intended to deport him to Uganda, Eswatini, Ghana, and Liberia.

MS-13 is infamous for its involvement in violent crimes, including murder, extortion, and human trafficking.

Garcia’s criminal history includes a 2018 conviction for gang participation in Prince George’s County Circuit Court in Maryland, where he was found guilty of actively supporting MS-13 activities.

In April, DHS released a detailed investigative report outlining a traffic stop that led authorities to believe Garcia was involved in transporting undocumented migrants across borders for profit.

Garcia was subsequently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In December, Judge Paula Xinis ordered Garcia’s immediate release from immigration detention, citing procedural concerns and what she described as insufficient evidence to justify prolonged holding without trial.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem publicly condemned the ruling, calling it a threat to national security and accusing the judge of prioritizing the rights of criminals over American safety.

Additionally, Garcia’s defense team successfully pushed for a gag order against top Trump administration officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary Noem. This was the third such complaint from his attorneys, who claimed public statements from government figures were prejudicing his right to a fair trial.

Just days after his release, Garcia wasted no time in leveraging social media.

In a TikTok video that went viral, he was seen outdoors in a residential area, wearing a baseball cap and a Nike hoodie, passionately singing a Spanish-language Christian hymn.

MS-13 terrorist Kilmar Abrego Garcia was released by a rogue judge and is now making TikToks.
pic.twitter.com/MlJwkRAmLH

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 27, 2025

The lyrics, which reference biblical miracles like parting the Red Sea and overcoming trials through faith, include lines such as “When you have to cross the Red Sea, call on this man with faith, only he opens the sea” and “You will pass to the other side, and there you will sing the hymn of victory.”

Garcia also spoke out publicly in Baltimore, Maryland, addressing a crowd and portraying himself as a victim of overzealous enforcement.

His actions have drawn sharp contrasts with the gag order binding DHS, leading to accusations that the justice system is upside down and empowering alleged criminals while handcuffing law enforcement.

The post Obama-Appointed Judge Rules ICE Can’t Re-Detain Illegal Alien Kilmar Abrego-Garcia appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Will Budanov help lead Ukraine to a peace settlement?

While not many people are paying attention, the US-Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations are taking place today and tomorrow in Geneva, Switzerland.

While no one is expecting much of this round of talks, with President Donald J. Trump urging Ukraine to ‘come to the table’, there is a new aspect to the negotiations.

‘Ukraine better come to the table fast’ — Trump ahead of Geneva talks pic.twitter.com/bYPGZlGB8I

— RT (@RT_com) February 17, 2026

Let’s take a look at what foreign correspondent Oliver Carrol wrote for the Rothschild family’s magazine The Economist (it’s true that they divested last year from the outlet after more than two decades of control).

The Economist reported:

“Since the start of the year, the two sides appeared to be inching closer towards a deal. […] Russia and Ukraine had chosen more pragmatic players to represent them, with Ukraine’s former spy chief Kyrylo Budanov making a particular impression as the de facto new head of the delegation. One source close to the Ukrainian team even rated the chance of a breakthrough as ‘50-50’.”

Ukraine talks in Geneva were ‘very tense’ – source to Sputnik

Today’s meetings in Geneva were both bilateral and trilateral: the dialogue took place in the format of Russia-US, Russia-Ukraine, and Russia-US-Ukraine negotiations

The talks were very tense, lasted six… pic.twitter.com/oG1Ykd5AGk

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) February 17, 2026

“Divisions are also emerging within Ukraine’s delegation. One wing, centered on Mr. Budanov, believes Ukraine’s interests are best served by a swift American-led agreement, and fears the window for action may soon close. But another wing, apparently still influenced by the controversial former chief of staff Andriy Yermak, who departed in a corruption scandal, is much less keen. Mr. Zelensky appears to be balancing between them, while also having his own ideas.”

But, maybe, the negotiations are not going so poorly, if the UK felt like sending its delegation to try and derail the talks. 

UK’s delegation UNEXPECTEDLY arrived at the place of negotiations between Russia, Ukraine and the US

The delegation was reportedly led by Starmer’s security adviser, Jonathan Powell

Did they attempt to interfere in the negotiation process, just as they did in 2022? https://t.co/DveSr9BPxx pic.twitter.com/DeCKZpENBN

— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) February 17, 2026

“The Devil” is present.. Britain is watching from the hallway!

British National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell and his team are in the lobby of the InterContinental Hotel in Geneva, where the trilateral negotiations have been ongoing for 2.5 hours behind closed… pic.twitter.com/3iuoNmQc7t

— RussiaNews (@mog_russEN) February 17, 2026

Read more:

Zelensky Appoints Spy Chief Budanov as Head of Presidential Office, Replacing Corruption Suspect Yermak

The post Ukrainian Negotiators Divided, With Head of Presidential Office Budanov Leading Faction Who Wants a Quick Peace Agreement ‘While There’s Still Time’: REPORT appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

The Florida House of Representatives has voted to rename Palm Beach International Airport to “President Donald J. Trump International Airport.”

The bill, HB 919, passed with a strong 81-30 vote on Tuesday.

Sponsored by Rep. Meg Weinberger, the legislation would honor President Donald Trump, a longtime resident of Palm Beach County and owner of the iconic Mar-a-Lago estate.

“This is the President’s hometown, he lives five miles away from the airport,” Weinberger said of the bill.

WATCH:

BREAKING: The Florida State House just PASSED a proposed law paving the way to rename Palm Beach International Airport “President Donald J. TRUMP International Airport,” 81-30

It heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk if the Senate now approves it

FLORIDA IS TRUMP COUNTRY! pic.twitter.com/03o5UXlkKs

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 17, 2026

The rename is contingent on approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and an agreement with Trump for the commercial use of his name, at no cost to the county.

Weinberger has said that the Trump family has agreed “to completely waive the trademark for the Trump name to Palm Beach International.”

The Trump Organization has already filed trademarks for “President Donald J. Trump International Airport” and related terms, according to a report from USA Today.

A companion bill, SB 706, sponsored by Sen. Debbie Mayfield, has already cleared the Senate Rules Committee and is headed to the full Senate floor.

Palm Beach County officials estimate the name change could cost around $5.5 million for new signs, uniforms, branding, and tech updates.

If the Senate approves and Gov. Ron DeSantis signs it into law, the change could take effect as early as July 1.

The post Florida House Passes Bill to Rename Palm Beach International Airport After President Trump (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Tommy Lee Jones’ daughter Victoria Jones, died due to “toxic effects of cocaine,” a medical examiner ruled.

Her death was also ruled an accident.

“On Tuesday, Feb. 17, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in San Francisco, California announced that Victoria, the daughter of Academy Award-winning actor Tommy Lee Jones, had died due to “toxic effects of cocaine,” and ruled the manner of her death as an “accident.”” – People reported.

Victoria Jones was found dead at a hotel in San Francisco on New Year’s Eve day.

She was 34 years old.

Victoria was found unresponsive at the Fairmont San Francisco early in the morning shortly after midnight.

The person who founder her thought she may have passed out after a night of drinking.

A spokesperson for the fire department told Page Six that “bystanders were given instructions for CPR.”

Later, authorities made a dispatch call for a “code 3 for the overdose, color change.”

Victoria dabbled in acting when she was younger.

“When she was younger, Victoria was following in her dad’s footsteps, acting alongside Tommy Lee in “Men in Black II.”” Page Six reported.

“In 2003, she appeared in an episode of the hit teen show “One Tree Hill” and, in 2005, acted in “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada,” which was directed by her father,” the outlet reported.

Tommy Lee Jones’ Daughter Victoria Jones’ Cause of Death Released https://t.co/4EGHeGgj5M pic.twitter.com/92JihTrMAD

— TMZ (@TMZ) February 17, 2026

The post Tommy Lee Jones’ Daughter Victoria Jones’ Cause of Death Revealed appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

The secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) has officially appointed Jennifer Daskal, a key architect of the Biden administration’s shredded “Disinformation Governance Board,” as a legal advisor.

The woman who helped design the very apparatus meant to police your speech is now whispering in the ears of the judges who sign off on secret spy warrants.

Daskal isn’t just a bit player. While serving as acting principal deputy general counsel at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), she was the one holding the pen. Daskal:

• Drafted the charter for the infamous Disinformation Governance Board.
• Hand-picked Nina Jankowicz, the ‘Mary Poppins of disinformation,’ to lead the effort.

The Disinformation Governance Board is a state-sanctioned censorship tool, often referred to as the “Ministry of Truth” (a nod to George Orwell’s 1984).

The board’s mandate focused on “disinformation” regarding the 2020 election, COVID-19 origins, and border security—areas where the administration sought to control the narrative.

According to a report from the Washington Free Beacon, the presiding judges of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review quietly appointed Jennifer Daskal to serve as an amicus curiae on February 1, a powerful role that allows her to advise judges on complex legal matters tied to foreign surveillance warrants.

This is no minor procedural assignment.

Amici before the FISA Court are granted privileged access to some of the most sensitive legal arguments related to U.S. intelligence-gathering operations conducted under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, including cases involving surveillance authorities that operate almost entirely outside public scrutiny.

Now, Republicans are warning that Daskal’s past involvement in a federal speech-monitoring regime makes her appointment to a role connected to secret surveillance authorities deeply troubling.

“The American people need to have confidence in the people tasked to serve as amici before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court,” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley told the Washington Free Beacon.

Senator Eric Schmitt, who previously grilled Daskal during a 2022 hearing telling her, “You ought to be ashamed of your role in this,” took to X to blast the appointment:

“The presiding judges of the FISA Court just appointed Jennifer Daskal to advise the secretive court. She helped create the Biden Admin’s Disinformation Governance Board. Insane. Yet another reason for reform.”

The presiding judges of the FISA Court just appointed Jennifer Daskal to advise the secretive court. She helped create the Biden Admin’s Disinformation Governance Board.

Insane.

Yet another reason for reform. pic.twitter.com/oyO5E5EFWB

— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) February 17, 2026

The post OUTRAGEOUS: FISA Court Appoints Biden Disinformation Board Architect Jennifer Daskal as Advisor appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.