During a hearing on Wednesday, a federal judge expressed reservations about the Justice Department's (DOJ) decision to bring legal action against every judge on Maryland’s federal bench, saying he is skeptical of the move. The DOJ initiated this action in response to a court directive that halted the immediate removal of migrants contesting their deportation.
According to CNN, during the hearing, the judge remarked: “I don’t have a very good poker face,” and added, “I have some skepticism.” His demeanor and words made clear that he found the federal government’s strategy unusual and potentially risky.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Cullen, a Trump appointee, presided over the matter from his seat in the Western District of Virginia. He was appointed to handle the case because all 15 judges in Maryland’s district were named as defendants.
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The DOJ's move came as the Trump administration attempts to curb the judiciary’s reach.
This litigation underscores a deepening constitutional conflict between the Trump administration and lower federal courts. Judges have intervened when immigration enforcement measures appear to compromise procedural fairness, and the administration has pushed back.
Kilmar Abrego‑Garcia’s case was the most notable instance, where detainees were reportedly removed with minimal judicial scrutiny.
Cullen went on to critique the DOJ's decision to sue an entire judicial body rather than pursuing more conventional legal channels, questioning whether such an approach could inspire similar lawsuits against appellate courts or even the Supreme Court. He committed to delivering a ruling by Labor Day.
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