Summary
A federal judge criticized a Trump administration Justice Department lawyer who claimed they didn’t have to follow the judge’s oral order blocking deportations to El Salvador because it wasn’t in writing.
Judge Boasberg questioned why the administration ignored his directive to return immigrants to the US. The DOJ lawyer repeatedly refused to provide information about the deportations, citing “national security concerns.”
Frustrated, Boasberg ordered sworn declarations explaining what happened, quipping that he would issue a written order “since apparently my verbal orders don’t seem to carry much weight.”
They feel that they can ignore it because they can ignore it. Stop letting them!
How do they do that? Their enforcers work for Trump.
The US Marshalls don’t, I thought.
*Marshals
You’re right, thank you.
Throw. That. Lawyer. In. PRISON. There may be no way to enforce the law on Trump himself, but make lawyers afraid to do his dirty work.
Wouldn’t Trump just pardon them?
I don’t think he can. Courts have the power to hold people until they comply with a court order.
Technically so does congress although it’s never done.
US Marshalls, however, are a real thing and work for the judiciary.
Edit: ugh, they are responsible for carrying out what the judiciary needs, but it’s still part of the executive (DoJ).
I was holding hope for the US Marshalls taking action without the AG calling on them based on what they represent, but they have been helping the Trump with his illegal takeovers of DOGE even assisting with breaking and entering… So it’s probably unlikely they will do anything to assist with reigning in the president.
See elsewhere in the comments on this post. The judge can effectively deputize someone other than a Marshall if necessary.
