Story perspectives

77 Rulings Condemn Trump Immigration Policies, Courts Split

6/23/2026

Summary

Judges Condemn Trump

Judges issued 77 rulings condemning President Donald Trump’s immigration policies June 22, 2026, sixty-four calling them an abuse of power and thirty-five targeting deportation and detention.
A 3-2 split saw the 5th and 8th Circuits uphold detention while the 2nd, 11th and 6th rejected it in April-May 2025.
Judge Kyle Dudek called lawyers a “masterclass in litigation cynicism” June 11, 2026, prompting Judge Susan Wigenton to order a bond hearing.

Summary

Trump Fills Judges

U.S. President Donald Trump said he will fill every judicial vacancy with Constitution-loving nominees.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent refused the sworn declaration Judge Brinkema demanded by June 19.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley limited a June 18 meeting to 30 minutes to process eight nominations.
Democratic leader Chuck Schumer blocked all New York judicial nominees, linking the dispute to Trump’s intelligence-director demand.

History

Historical Context

In July 1987 President Ronald Reagan nominated Judge Robert Bork for Justice Lewis Powell’s seat, prompting a Senate fight led by Ted Kennedy. The Judiciary Committee held 30 hours of hearings over five days and the Senate rejected Bork 58-42, a roll-call defeat of a nominee. The episode set a template for the partisan, high-volume confirmation battles Donald Trump later used to fill federal courts.

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Judges Condemn Trump

Judges issued 77 rulings condemning President Donald Trump’s immigration policies June 22, 2026, sixty-four calling them an abuse of power and thirty-five targeting deportation and detention.
A 3-2 split saw the 5th and 8th Circuits uphold detention while the 2nd, 11th and 6th rejected it in April-May 2025.
Judge Kyle Dudek called lawyers a “masterclass in litigation cynicism” June 11, 2026, prompting Judge Susan Wigenton to order a bond hearing.

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