Fact Check: Trump Administration Appeals Court Ruling That Freed Khalil
What We Know
Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist, was released from federal immigration detention after a federal judge in New Jersey ordered his release on bail. Khalil had been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for over three months following his arrest, which was part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on activists involved in pro-Palestinian protests (NPR). The judge, Michael Farbiarz, stated that the government's attempt to continue Khalil's detention was "highly, highly, highly unusual" and likely unconstitutional, suggesting that the immigration charges were being used to punish him for his activism (PBS).
After the ruling, a Justice Department lawyer requested a delay in Khalil's release to allow the government to appeal the decision, which the judge denied (Newsweek). This indicates that the Trump administration indeed sought to appeal the ruling that freed Khalil.
Analysis
The claim that the Trump administration appealed the court ruling that freed Khalil is supported by multiple sources. The NPR report details the circumstances surrounding Khalil's release and the government's subsequent request to delay this release for an appeal (NPR). Additionally, the PBS article corroborates this by stating that the judge expected Khalil to be released shortly after denying the government's request for a delay, which was made on the grounds of appealing the decision (PBS).
The sources used in this analysis are credible news outlets, including NPR and PBS, which are known for their journalistic integrity and thorough reporting. The information is consistent across multiple reports, indicating a high level of reliability.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the Trump administration appealed the court ruling that freed Khalil is accurate. The evidence shows that the administration sought to delay Khalil's release to pursue an appeal, reflecting their intention to contest the judge's decision.
