By The Editorial Board
The editorial board is a group of opinion journalists whose views are informed by expertise, research, debate and certain longstanding values. It is separate from the newsroom.
July 11, 2025
Many Americans in positions of power, including corporate executives and members of Congress, seem too afraid of President Trump to stand up to his anti-democratic behavior. Federal judges have shown themselves to be exceptions. “Judges from across the ideological spectrum are ruling against administration policies at remarkable rates,” said Adam Bonica, a political scientist at Stanford University.
These rulings have halted Mr. Trump’s vengeful attempts to destroy law firms, forestalled some of his budget cuts and kept him from deporting additional immigrants. Yes, the Supreme Court has often been more deferential to the president. Still, it has let stand many lower-court rulings and has itself constrained Mr. Trump in some cases.
The bipartisan alarm from federal judges offers a roadmap for others to respond to Mr. Trump’s often illegal behavior. His actions deserve to be called out in plain language for what they really are. And people in positions of influence should do what they can to stand up for American values, as many judges have done.
Here, we’ve compiled quotations from judges’ recent rulings and bench comments.
Courts have blocked some policies, including the deportation of additional detainees to a Salvadoran prison. Other policies remain in effect, including the confinement of immigrants previously deported to El Salvador. Many cases are still being heard.
J. Harvie Wilkinson III, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
Appointed by Ronald Reagan
On the refusal to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia from El Salvador:
“This is a path of perfect lawlessness, one that courts cannot condone.”
Leonie M. Brinkema, Eastern District of Virginia
Appointed by Bill Clinton
On an ICE official’s inconsistent affidavit:
“This is a terrible, terrible affidavit. If this were before me in a criminal case and you were asking to get a warrant issued on this, I’d throw you out of my chambers.”
James E. Boasberg, District of Columbia District
Appointed by Barack Obama
On a judge’s order blocking deportations:
“In an egregious case of cherry-picking, defendants selectively quote only a fragment of the court’s response here to mischaracterize its position.”
Patrick J. Schiltz, District of Minnesota
Appointed by George W. Bush
On the revocation of a student’s visa:
“The court cannot imagine how the public interest might be served by permitting federal officials to flaunt the very laws that they have sworn to enforce.”
Charlotte N. Sweeney, District of Colorado
Appointed by Joe Biden
On a claim that courts “do not have a role” in regards to the Aliens Enemies Act:
“This sentence staggers. » …