• Trump administration files lawsuit against all federal judges in Maryland.
• Challenge targets an order halting deportations for two business days after legal petitions.
• Lawsuit claims the order conflicts with Supreme Court rulings and obstructs executive authority.
• Maryland court judges accused of ‘judicial overreach’ in immigration enforcement.
• Case highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary.

The Trump administration has initiated a significant legal confrontation by suing the entire federal judiciary in Maryland, specifically targeting Chief Judge George L. Russell III and all 15 judges over a standing order that temporarily halts deportations. This order allows for a two-business-day pause on the deportation of any migrant who files a habeas corpus petition to challenge their detention. The administration argues that this automatic pause is an infringement on its constitutional powers and contradicts existing Supreme Court rulings, labeling it as an egregious example of judicial overreach, according to Reuters, The Hill, and Al Jazeera.

The lawsuit, filed late on June 25, 2025, escalates ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and federal judges, which have seen numerous legal challenges against immigration policies. The administration seeks a declaration that the standing order is unlawful, arguing that it impedes the President’s ability to carry out immigration laws effectively and disrupts the execution of policies that voters have mandated. "Every unlawful order entered by the district courts robs the Executive Branch of its most scarce resource: time to put its policies into effect," the lawsuit proclaims, as highlighted by ABC News and Los Angeles Times.

Chief Judge Russell's order arose in response to a surge of habeas corpus petitions from detained immigrants, leading to concerns over rushed hearings and a lack of clear information regarding detainee status. Legal experts describe the Justice Department's lawsuit as both extraordinary and troubling, indicating a potential erosion of legal norms, particularly in how the executive branch interacts with the judiciary. According to CBS News, this legal action marks a rare instance where the federal government directly sues a state court system, potentially complicating judicial review of its immigration policies.

Adding to the complexity is the notable case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whose deportation despite a protection order has attracted significant legal scrutiny and led to claims of contempt against federal officials for delaying compliance with court orders. Attorneys for Abrego Garcia have urged Judge Paula Xinis, who is also named in the lawsuit, to impose sanctions on the administration for its handling of his case. The breadth of the Trump administration's lawsuit reflects ongoing frustrations with judicial decisions, mirroring broader tensions between the Executive and Judicial branches, as observed by experts and reported by India Times and NPR.