A federal prosecutor says the U.S. government would initiate deportation proceedings against Kilmar Abrego Garcia if he's released from jail before trial on human smuggling charges. Justice Department attorney Jonathan Guynn made the disclosure to a federal judge in Maryland on Monday. It contradicts statements by officials from the Justice Department and the White House last month. Those officials said that Abrego Garcia would stand trial before any move is made to deport him. Abrego Garcia became a flashpoint over President Donald Trump's immigration policies after he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March.

President Donald Trump on Monday placed a 25% tax on goods imported from Japan and South Korea, citing persistent trade imbalances with the two crucial U.S. allies in Asia. Trump provided notice of the tariffs to begin on Aug. 1 by posting letters on Truth Social that were addressed to the leaders of both countries. The letters warned both countries to not retaliate by increasing their own import taxes, or else the Trump administration would increase import taxes that could damage the auto and electronics sectors of Japan and South Korea, two crucial partners for the U.S. in countering China’s influence.