Animosity Versus the Courts

The Trump administration is ignoring court orders at an alarming rate

By: Austin Abbring

May 17, 2026

The Associated Press today reported that the Trump administration is ignoring court orders at an unprecedented rate. In the first fifteen months of this presidency, there have been thirty-one violations of lawsuit orders. These lawsuits stem from an array of issues, including immigration practices, layoffs, federal spending cuts, and deportations. The ignoring of various immigration and deportation lawsuits appears to make up the majority of the violations, which include deporting immigrants to El Salvador’s CECOT prison, holding immigrants past court-ordered release dates, and returning property to detained immigrants.

Trump officials have backed down on roughly half of these thirty-one lawsuits. This is all abnormal compared to the Biden, Obama, George Bush presidencies, and even the previous Trump presidency. There were only a handful of instances of court orders being ignored or challenged. The erosion of trust amongst judges stemming from repeated attacks is creating a political mess. The judicial branch feels as if it is under assault from Trump and this regime, and rightfully so. 

With all of this said, we must keep the pressure on this administration. Anything that impedes Trump officials by keeping a check on the executive branch is vital in maintaining democratic norms. Especially as the immigrant community is under fire the most frequently in these instances, and historically has been underrepresented in our courts.