President Donald Trump’s administration has been accused of defying court orders in over 35% of the more than 160 lawsuits filed against it since his return to office, a Washington Post analysis found. Judges appointed by both parties have largely agreed with the allegations, but none have taken punitive action against the administration.
The administration is facing widespread criticism for its refusal to comply with court rulings on immigration cases, with some judges ordering the government to turn back deported migrants at risk of serious harm or death. A recent case involved a 17-year-old deported to Honduras before he could meet with a lawyer, while another saw a judge halt the administration’s plans to fire nearly all Consumer Financial Protection Bureau employees.
The slow pace of efforts to enforce court orders is attributed to the judicial system’s methodical approach and the fact that judges typically ratchet up efforts in small increments. However, some experts believe that the Trump administration may be deliberately avoiding compliance with court rulings due to concerns about being held accountable by U.S. Marshals or facing a confrontation over contempt proceedings.
In response to criticism, White House spokesman Harrison Fields has labeled judges who have ruled against the president as “leftist” and claimed that his attorneys are working tirelessly to comply with rulings. However, some experts point out that this tactic is akin to “gaslighting” and undermines the rule of law.
The issue highlights a struggle for accountability in the Trump administration’s approach to the judiciary. The Article III Coalition, formed by over two dozen retired judges appointed by both parties, aims to push back on attacks and misinformation about the courts. While some former judges have called the situation not a constitutional crisis, they say that the strain on the courts is immense.
Experts warn that if left unchecked, the administration’s noncompliance could erode respect for courts and the rule of law, with significant implications for democracy.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/21/trump-court-orders-defy-noncompliance-marshals-judges