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The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against all 15 federal judges in Maryland over a controversial order that blocks the immediate deportation of migrants challenging their removals. This legal action, initiated on Tuesday (June 24), underscores the Trump administration's ongoing struggle with the judiciary over immigration policies. The lawsuit targets a standing order signed by Chief Judge George L. Russell III in May, which halts deportations for 48 hours for immigrants who file habeas corpus petitions in Maryland. The administration argues that this order violates Supreme Court rulings and impedes President Donald Trump's authority to enforce immigration laws.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi criticized the judiciary for what she described as judicial overreach, stating, "President Trump's executive authority has been undermined since the first hours of his presidency by an endless barrage of injunctions designed to halt his agenda." The DOJ's lawsuit marks a rare instance where the department, which typically represents the judiciary, is suing judges.
Legal experts have described the lawsuit as an unprecedented escalation in the administration's conflict with the courts. Retired federal judge J. Michael Luttig called it "reckless and irresponsible" according to The Washington Post. The DOJ argues that the standing order issued by Russell is unlawful and bypasses the need for individual case assessments, as required by Supreme Court precedents.
The Maryland judges, who have been involved in major cases challenging Trump's policies, declined to comment on the lawsuit. The DOJ has requested that a judge from another district be selected to hear the case, citing potential conflicts of interest for Maryland judges.