Trump Administration Ignores One-Third Federal Court Orders Nationwide

An analysis by The Washington Post of over 160 lawsuits reveals that the Trump administration has defied approximately one-third of federal court rulings against it, a rate described as unprecedented by legal experts. This widespread noncompliance spans various areas, including immigration cases, federal funding, and LGBTQ rights, with the administration often ignoring judicial orders without facing punitive consequences. Judges appear reluctant to enforce compliance through contempt orders to avoid a constitutional crisis, as enforcement relies on the U.S. Marshals Service, an executive branch agency under the President's control. A notable instance includes the wrongful deportation of a protected asylum seeker named Christian, despite a federal court order prohibiting his removal, with the administration using him in a prisoner exchange with Venezuela. Efforts by the courts to compel the administration to comply have been largely ineffective, raising concerns about the erosion of judicial authority and checks on executive power. This pattern of defiance signals a significant challenge to the rule of law under President Donald Trump's current administration.