Fact Check: Trump administration sues all 15 Maryland judges over deportation stay order.

Fact Check: Trump Administration Sues All 15 Maryland Judges Over Deportation Stay Order

What We Know

On June 25, 2025, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit against all 15 federal judges in Maryland. This legal action was prompted by a standing order issued by Chief Judge George L. Russell III that temporarily blocks the immediate deportation of migrants who challenge their removals in court. The order allows a 48-hour stay on deportations for any detainee who files a habeas corpus petition, which is a legal action challenging unlawful detention (AP News, NPR).

The lawsuit asserts that this order is unlawful and undermines the president's authority over immigration enforcement, claiming it violates a Supreme Court ruling that mandates judges to rule on individual cases rather than issuing blanket orders (Washington Post, Reuters). Attorney General Pam Bondi characterized the judges' actions as "judicial overreach" and emphasized that the administration's lawsuit aims to preserve the president's constitutional authority (AP News, CBS News).

Analysis

The lawsuit against the Maryland judges is unprecedented, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the federal judiciary. Legal experts have described this move as an "extraordinary attack on judicial independence" (Washington Post, NPR). Historically, the Justice Department represents the judiciary, making this lawsuit particularly unusual and controversial.

Critics, including retired federal judge J. Michael Luttig, have condemned the lawsuit as a reckless assault on the federal courts (Washington Post). The judges' standing order was implemented in response to a surge in habeas corpus petitions filed outside normal court hours, which complicated the judicial process and led to rushed hearings (AP News, Reuters).

While the administration argues that the order violates Supreme Court precedents, some legal scholars acknowledge that the judges may not have followed proper procedures in issuing such a blanket order (NPR). However, the context in which the order was issued—amidst a chaotic immigration enforcement environment—suggests that the judges were attempting to maintain their jurisdiction and ensure fair hearings for detainees (Washington Post, CBS News).

Conclusion

The claim that the Trump administration sued all 15 Maryland judges over a deportation stay order is True. The evidence clearly supports that the administration took this unprecedented legal action in response to a standing order that temporarily halts deportations for migrants challenging their removals. This lawsuit reflects broader tensions between the executive branch and the judiciary regarding immigration enforcement and judicial authority.

Fact Check: Trump administration sues all 15 Maryland judges over deportation stay order.