Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who faces federal charges in Tennessee for conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants and related smuggling offenses, has asked U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw to impose a gag order on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi. In a filing on Thursday, defense lawyers argued that repeated public attacks by the two officials risk prejudicing potential jurors and undermining Garcia’s right to a fair trial. The motion marks at least the third time Garcia’s counsel has complained about official commentary since a grand jury indicted him earlier this year. The lawyers cited recent remarks by President Donald Trump, Noem and Bondi that they say paint the defendant as an irredeemable criminal. While Trump’s statements are referenced in the filing, the request for restraint is limited to Noem and Bondi, whose departments are directly involved in the prosecution. Garcia’s team told the court that “further intervention” is needed to protect the integrity of the proceedings, warning that the government’s “ongoing barrage of prejudicial statements” could make it impossible to seat an impartial jury. Judge Crenshaw, an Obama appointee, has not indicated when he will rule on the motion. The trial date has not yet been set.