On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, The Hill reported that the Trump administration filed a lawsuit against the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and its 15 judges, challenging a judicial order that delays its accelerated deportation efforts.

The legal action, initiated by the Justice Department, targets a standing order issued in May by Chief Judge George Russell, which temporarily halts deportations for two business days when migrants in Maryland file legal challenges against their detention.

The Justice Department’s complaint argues that the Maryland court’s order unlawfully restricts the executive branch’s authority. It claims the rule imposes an automatic injunction without regard to the specifics of individual cases, such as whether a migrant seeks emergency relief, whether the court has jurisdiction, or whether the claims are valid.

The administration contends this blanket order violates Supreme Court precedents governing when judges may issue injunctive relief. Additionally, the complaint asserts that the order infringes on the executive branch’s core powers, particularly in immigration matters.

The standing order was issued in response to a surge in habeas corpus petitions filed by detained migrants, challenging the legality of their detentions. Judge Russell noted that these petitions, often submitted outside regular court hours, created scheduling difficulties and led to rushed hearings. The two-day pause was intended to address these logistical challenges.

In its filing, the Justice Department requested that the case be transferred out of Maryland’s district court, citing potential bias, and proposed that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit randomly assign a judge from another district to oversee the matter. Alternatively, the department suggested moving the case to a different district court entirely. The administration seeks a ruling to declare the standing order unlawful and an injunction to prevent its enforcement.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a statement accompanying the complaint, emphasized that the Trump administration’s executive authority has faced repeated judicial challenges since the start of the presidency. She argued that such actions undermine the democratic process and the policy agenda supported by voters.

Source: The Hill