Fact Check: Florida Attorney General Defies Court Order, Boasts About Enforcing Blocked Immigration Law
What We Know
On June 17, 2025, U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams found Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier in civil contempt of court for violating a restraining order that prohibited the enforcement of a controversial immigration law. This law, which made it a misdemeanor for unauthorized immigrants to enter or reenter Florida, had been temporarily halted by the judge due to concerns about its constitutionality (AP News, Washington Post).
Uthmeier had initially issued a memo instructing law enforcement to comply with the injunction. However, shortly afterward, he sent a second memo stating that he could not prevent law enforcement from enforcing the law, claiming that no lawful order impeded their actions (NBC News). In a social media post, Uthmeier expressed his willingness to be held in contempt, stating, “If being held in contempt is what it costs to defend the rule of law and stand firmly behind President Trump’s agenda on illegal immigration, so be it” (The Guardian).
Analysis
The evidence indicates that Uthmeier did indeed defy a court order by suggesting that law enforcement could continue to enforce the immigration law despite the injunction. Judge Williams explicitly stated in her ruling that “litigants cannot change the plain meaning of words as it suits them, especially when conveying a court’s clear and unambiguous order” (New York Times). This underscores the seriousness of the contempt ruling, as it highlights a disregard for judicial authority.
The sources reporting on this incident are credible and well-established news outlets, including the Associated Press, Washington Post, and NBC News. They provide consistent accounts of the events and the legal implications surrounding Uthmeier's actions. The judge's ruling and Uthmeier's statements on social media are direct quotes from reliable sources, adding to the credibility of the claims made in this fact check.
Uthmeier's comments about supporting Trump's immigration agenda further complicate the situation, suggesting a political motivation behind his actions. This context is important as it illustrates the intersection of law and politics, particularly in contentious areas like immigration enforcement.
Conclusion
The claim that Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier defied a court order and boasted about enforcing a blocked immigration law is True. The evidence clearly shows that Uthmeier violated the injunction issued by Judge Williams and publicly stated his commitment to enforcing the law despite the court's ruling. His actions and statements reflect a significant challenge to judicial authority and raise questions about the enforcement of immigration laws in Florida.
