JUDGE PAULA XINIS (Wikipedia).

The case of a man incorrectly deported to El Salvador and sent to a prison there continues to highlight the legal struggles between the White House and the federal judiciary.

According to the Associated Press, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis is demanding sworn testimony by officials to demonstrate that they are complying with her orders to “facilitate” the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States.

Immigration officials have conceded that his deportation was in error, but President Donald Trump and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele have said they intend not to send him back to the U.S., despite an order from the U.S. Supreme Court to do so.

“The bottom line is it was a very simple directive,” said Xinis. “I’ve got nothing,” she said about her demand that the attorney’s for the Justice Department make regular status reports on returning Garcia. “I’ve got no real response.”

IRS set to lose a third of staff

The Internal Revenue Service will likely lose one-third of its employees through a combination of layoffs and workers taking a buy-out.

INCOME TAX (Shutterstock).

According to The New York Times, an estimated 22,000 IRS employees have taken a resignation deal that puts them on paid administrative leave and then depart at the end of September. Another 7,000 probationary employees have been discharged.

The Times reports that losing that much staff could mean a reduction in the amount of revenue collected and a decrease in audits.

“The [Treasury] Secretary is committed to ensuring that efficiency is realized while providing the collections, privacy and customer service the American people deserve,” a spokesperson for Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, according to The Times.

Hamas “rejects” cease-fire

A cease-fire proposal that would have required Hamas to surrender its weapons has reportedly been rejected by the militant group in Gaza.

FLAGS of Israel and Hamas (Shutterstock).

United Press International is reporting that the six-week “pause” would also require that Hamas release to Israel half of the hostages it currently holds.

No humanitarian supplies are being allowed by Israel to be taken into Gaza for six weeks. Attacks by Israel into Gaza resumed on March 18.

French President Emmanuel Macron called for a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel, but Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu again rejected that option, calling it “illusions disconnected from reality.”

Great Thoughts

“Our country, right or wrong! When right, to be kept right; when wrong, to be put right.”
– Carl Schurz, journalist, statesman

“Fanaticism consists of redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim.”
– George Santayana, philosopher

“The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, and the love of soft living and the get-rich-quick theory of life.”
– Theodore Roosevelt,, 26th president of the United States

Weather: Mid-60s and then …

The pleasantly cool weather we’ve had in our West Orange County cities will continue, gradually warming toward the weekend. The forecast for Wednesday is for a daytime high of 66 with an overnight low of 54. Skies should be cloudy. On Thursday, the temps should be 64 (55) with a 22 percent chance of showers. Friday is expected to be cloudy with a 14 percent chance of rain. The temperatures should be 64 (52). The promised warm weather and sunny skies are expected to arrive on Saturday with a high of 71 (52).