Trump's DOJ Gambit Backfires as Prosecutors Zero in on ICE Agents.

U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. ruled Wednesday that Minnesota's lawsuit against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was premature. Abbott had not denied the extradition request — he had referred it for review.

• 4 counts of second-degree assault and 1 count of falsely reporting a crime face Castro.
• 90-day Texas custody limit expires Thursday, potentially freeing Castro before any extradition.
• Monitored jail calls include Castro discussing marriage and buying a house in Mexico.
• Federal prosecutors dropped charges against Julio Sosa-Celis after video contradicted Castro's account.

Why it matters: The ruling does not end extradition proceedings — it only blocks Minnesota from forcing Abbott's hand before he completes his review.

• Castro's possible flight would "impose a hardship on Minnesota's prosecutorial efforts," Rodriguez wrote, but that hardship did not change the legal analysis.
• Minnesota argues Abbott's role is ministerial; Abbott argues Castro was not fleeing justice because ICE ordered him back to Texas before charges were filed.

How 58 sources split on this story

Where they split: The core dispute is whether Abbott is lawfully reviewing Castro's fugitive status or using that review to shield a federal agent from state prosecution.

What’s next: The Texas secretary of state must complete its fugitive eligibility review before Abbott decides on the warrant.

• Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's office can refile if Abbott formally denies the extradition request.
• Will Abbott issue an extradition warrant once the Texas review concludes, or formally refuse?
• If Castro is released Thursday, can Minnesota compel his return from outside the country?
• Could this dispute set a precedent for governors blocking extraditions on political grounds?