DOJ Sues All Maryland Federal Judges Over Controversial Deportation Pause Order
In a dramatic legal escalation, the Department of Justice under President Trump has filed a lawsuit against all 15 federal district judges in Maryland. The move challenges a standing order issued by Chief Judge George L. Russell III that temporarily halts deportations for 48 hours when detainees file habeas corpus petitions.
The DOJ’s complaint labels the order “unlawful and antidemocratic,” arguing it effectively blocks the federal government’s ability to enforce immigration law. The order, issued in May, provides a two-day window for detained migrants to avoid deportation simply by submitting a petition, regardless of merit.
The DOJ contends this measure undermines the rule of law. “A sense of frustration and a desire for greater convenience do not give Defendants license to flout the law,” the DOJ said. Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed this view in a post on X, calling the order another example of “judicial overreach.”
Judge Russell defended the decision, explaining that a flood of after-hours habeas filings had strained the court’s capacity. He described the situation as producing “hurried and frustrating hearings” that made it difficult to verify the detainees’ status and location.
Critics of the DOJ’s lawsuit, including Maryland Governor Wes Moore, see the legal action as a direct attack on judicial independence. “This unprecedented action is a transparent effort to intimidate judges and usurp the power of the courts,” Moore said.
The lawsuit adds fuel to an ongoing power struggle between the Trump administration and the judiciary. Legal experts are divided. Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor, called the case “mind-boggling” but said it raises important legal questions. “They’re trying to claw back their jurisdiction,” he said. “It’s performative, but it’s also about power.”
This lawsuit is seen by some as the Trump administration’s response to what they describe as “court shopping” by left-wing groups seeking favorable rulings in Maryland. With immigration once again at the forefront of national politics, the outcome of this case could reshape the balance between executive enforcement and judicial.
