Federal Judge Warns DOJ Officials May Be Forced to Testify Under Oath After 72 Violations
A federal judge in New Jersey sharply rebuked the Trump administration on Thursday and signaled he may soon require senior Justice Department and Homeland Security officials to testify under oath over violations of court orders.
The ruling, by U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi, comes amid growing judicial frustration that the government has repeatedly ignored orders in immigration habeas corpus cases, undermining the rule of law and basic court authority.
According to The New Republic and Yahoo News, Quraishi said the U.S. Attorney’s Office in his district had conceded to violating 72 court orders, a number he called “objectively appalling.”
Quraishi ordered the immediate release of Diana Elizabeth Cartagena Hueso, a 29-year-old Salvadoran immigrant with no criminal record, after immigration agents moved her across state lines despite a court directive.
Related: Judges Demand Answers From Trump Admin After 150+ Immigration Court Order Breaches
He warned that any future unlawful detentions or arrests might prompt show-cause hearings requiring government lawyers and possibly higher-ups to testify about why court orders were violated.
“It ends today,” Quraishi wrote, calling the pattern of conduct intentional if unchecked.
Legal analysts say the move could mark a new escalation in how district judges enforce compliance, using their contempt powers to hold executive branch officials accountable.
If this approach spreads to other courts, federal agencies may face unprecedented scrutiny and compelled testimony as part of immigration enforcement litigation.
What happens next: Judges across the country could adopt similar tactics in immigration cases this spring, setting up fresh clashes between federal courts and the administration.
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