Former lawyer warns Trump admin against ignoring court orders

A former lawyer from the Bush administration has advised the Trump administration against ignoring court orders concerning deportation flights. John Yoo, a law professor, expressed concern that some officials might want to defy judicial rulings, which he believes would be a grave mistake. There have been numerous injunctions blocking various Trump administration policies. These include restrictions on deportation flights and attempts to change birthright citizenship. Some Republicans have accused judges of overstepping their authority. Yoo highlighted that only once in U.S. history has a president defied a court order—when Abraham Lincoln did so at the start of the Civil War. He warned that if the executive branch does not follow judicial orders, it could undermine the entire legal system. The White House asserts that it has complied with all lawful court orders. Recently, a judge issued an emergency order stopping deportation flights of suspected gang members to El Salvador. However, the Trump administration pointed out that the planes had already taken off when the order was issued. Legal experts are debating the complexity of the situation. One professor noted that while judges have authority, they also need to be mindful of not overstepping boundaries with the executive branch. The judge involved has expressed frustration over the government’s response to the orders. The legal battle continues, with the judge considering if the administration violated his order. The situation remains tense as both sides present their arguments in court.