Justice Dept. attorney: US will try to deport Abrego Garcia before trial

GREENBELT, Md. — The U.S. government would initiate deportation proceedings against Kilmar Abrego Garcia if he’s released from jail before he stands trial on human smuggling charges in Tennessee, a Justice Department attorney told a federal judge in Maryland on Monday.

The disclosure by U.S. lawyer Jonathan Guynn contradicts statements by spokespeople for the Justice Department and the White House, who said last month that Abrego Garcia would stand trial and possibly spend time in an American prison before the government moves to deport him.

Guynn made the revelation during a federal court hearing in Maryland, where Abrego Garcia’s American wife is suing the Trump administration over his mistaken deportation in March and trying to prevent him being expelled again.

Doctors, public health orgs sue over COVID-19 vaccine policy changes

NEW YORK — A coalition of doctors groups and public health organizations sued the U.S. government on Monday over the decision to stop recommending COVID-19 vaccinations for most children and pregnant women.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association and four other groups filed the lawsuit in federal court in Boston.

U.S. health officials, following infectious disease experts’ guidance, previously urged annual COVID-19 shots for all Americans ages 6 months and older. But in late May, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced he was removing COVID-19 shots from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women.

Biden’s former doctor asks to delay testimony to House panel

WASHINGTON — Former President Joe Biden’s physician has requested to delay his testimony to the House oversight committee. An attorney for Dr. Kevin O’Connor argued in a letter that lawmakers must protect physician-patient privilege as part of the process. A spokesperson for the oversight panel said O’Connor could not disregard a congressional subpoena and that the committee would observe the House’s guidance on privileged statements on a case-by-case basis. The back-and-forth on O’Connor’s testimony is part of a broader debate over the scope of House Republicans’ inquiry into Biden’s mental state during his time in office.