An analysis found that the U.S. administration of Donald Trump repeatedly failed to comply with federal court orders after returning to power.
On the 2nd (local time), an analysis of court records by The Associated Press found that the second Trump administration violated federal district court orders in at least 31 lawsuits since last February. These instances were identified across lawsuits covering a wide range of federal policies.
Separately, more than 250 cases were identified in individual immigration matters where court orders were not properly carried out. These include continuing detention past court-ordered release deadlines or failing to return property.
These instances emerged amid a surge in lawsuits as the Trump administration pushed hardline policies. The number of lawsuits filed against the administration has so far topped 700.
Legal experts say such failures to comply with court orders are unusually frequent compared with past administrations. David Super, a Georgetown University professor, warned, "The federal government is the institution that must be most committed to the rule of law," adding, "If the government begins to feel it is not itself legally constrained, respect for the rule of law can erode."
The White House and the Department of Justice, however, dispute claims that they deliberately ignored court orders. The administration argues that some district court rulings are "unlawful," and says it is responding based on appellate review or legal interpretations regarding the scope of the orders.
In fact, in 15 of the 31 cases, federal appeals courts or the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the administration's policies or limited district court sanctions.
In a dissent related to this, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor noted, "The courts are effectively condoning repeated noncompliance with orders," adding, "This can weaken respect for the judiciary and the rule of law."
The tension between the administration and the judiciary is spreading into politics. Vice President JD Vance also made remarks suggesting the president could decline to follow court orders.
The Associated Press reported that this situation is having widespread effects across policy implementation and that immigrants, nonprofit groups, and the media, among others, claim harm.