If not for the serious nature of the crimes of which he stands accused, one might almost be tempted to feel a bit sorry for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran national whose deportation case has made him a cause célèbre. (Almost.) He might be feeling a bit like a Ping-Pong ball these days. And just when you think his saga can’t get any more dramatic, it takes another whiplash-inducing turn. 

Tennessee Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes, who, a week ago, denied the government’s motion for pretrial detention of Abrego while he awaits trial on two felony counts (Conspiracy to Transport Aliens and Unlawful Transportation of Undocumented Aliens), has now entered an order granting Abrego’s emergency motion to delay issuing a release order. 

That’s right: The same judge who ruled that Abrego should be released pending his criminal trial is now agreeing to hold him — at his own behest.