A federal judge has issued a sharp rebuke to the Trump administration for repeatedly defying court orders in a high-stakes immigration case. The administration’s actions in deporting South Sudanese migrants without proper legal process have sparked a fierce constitutional showdown over executive power, judicial oversight, and due process protections.
Judge Murphy Accuses Trump Officials of “Manufacturing Chaos”
U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy rejected a Trump administration request to withdraw or amend his order requiring six deported migrants to be held in U.S. custody in Djibouti until they receive “reasonable fear interviews.” These interviews are critical in determining whether deportees might face torture or persecution if returned to their home country.
Despite repeated rulings, the administration has failed to comply and has not conducted the required interviews. In a scathing ruling, Judge Murphy accused Trump officials of “repeatedly mischaracterizing the Court’s orders” and creating “manufactured chaos” to avoid their legal responsibilities.
Trump Era Deportations Challenged in Court
The case stems from a class-action lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s practice of deporting migrants to volatile nations like South Sudan and El Salvador—often with no proper warning or legal recourse. Judge Murphy noted that carrying out immigration proceedings across multiple continents raises major due process issues.
NEW: Judge Murphy, targeted for attacks by Trump and Stephen Miller, accuses the administration of misrepresenting his rulings and causing the chaos it now complains about with its summary deportations to South Sudan.
w/ @joshgerstein https://t.co/fz5koxiwD8 pic.twitter.com/T5q8rIvWP0
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) May 27, 2025
Murphy emphasized that his court offered options for the administration to comply, but officials chose instead to ignore or twist the orders. He signaled that returning the deported individuals to U.S. soil might be necessary if the administration refuses to follow lawful procedures.
Trump Responds With Attacks on “Activist Judges”
The Trump White House fired back, accusing Judge Murphy and others of being “activist judges” interfering with the government’s duty to protect national security. On Truth Social, Trump slammed the court as being filled with “USA-hating judges” defending illegal aliens with criminal records.
A judge said the Trump administration violated a court order by deporting migrants to South Sudan without giving them a chance to object to the removal. The men may now have to fight their cases from abroad.https://t.co/VqqSCw4dHt
— Democracy Docket (@DemocracyDocket) May 23, 2025
Judge Murphy, however, reaffirmed that constitutional protections still apply—even to non-citizens—especially when life-threatening deportations are involved. He invited the administration to make its arguments in court filings, not through media statements or political attacks.
The case now poses critical questions for 2024 and beyond: Can the executive branch ignore federal courts on immigration? And do non-citizens have due process rights under the U.S. Constitution—even when facing deportation to deadly regimes?
This legal fight could have far-reaching implications as immigration enforcement collides with judicial authority—and public trust in both hangs in the balance.
Sources:
Judge pleads with Trump administration for reason over rhetoric in deportation case – POLITICO
US judge accuses Trump admin of ‘manufacturing chaos’ in South Sudan deportations, escalating feud