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Trump administration sues entire court bench in Maryland over pause in deportations

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arkansasadvocate.com – Ariana Figueroa – 2025-06-25 15:14:00


In Maryland, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a rare lawsuit against all federal court judges to block a two-day pause on deportations allowing immigrants to challenge their detention. This move by the Trump administration highlights ongoing conflicts with the judiciary, as courts have slowed aggressive immigration enforcement citing due process concerns. Chief Judge George Russell issued the pause to manage a surge in habeas corpus filings, but the DOJ argues it unlawfully interferes with executive powers and voter intentions. The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, wrongfully deported to El Salvador and returned after a Supreme Court ruling, is central to ongoing legal battles. Other judges have also limited enforcement actions in sensitive settings like houses of worship.

by Ariana Figueroa, Arkansas Advocate
June 25, 2025

WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice in an unusual move has filed a lawsuit against all the judges in the federal court in Maryland, in an attempt to block the court’s two-day pause on deporting immigrants who challenge their detention in the state.

The action by the Trump administration represents the DOJ’s latest clash with the judicial branch, and one that may be repeated in other states. Holds on deportations have slowed the administration’s aggressive plans for mass deportation of people without permanent legal status, on the grounds of due process.

“Every unlawful order entered by the district courts robs the Executive Branch of its most scarce resource: time to put its policies into effect,” according to the complaint. “In the process, such orders diminish the votes of the citizens who elected the head of the Executive Branch.”

The complaint by DOJ argued that a standing order from Chief Judge George Russell of the District Court of Maryland is “nothing more than a particularly egregious example of judicial overreach interfering with Executive Branch prerogatives—and thus undermining the democratic process.”

In late May, Russell signed a standing order to halt deportations for two days in an effort to accommodate the sudden high volume of habeas corpus claims filed outside of normal court business hours. A habeas corpus claim allows immigrants to challenge their detention.

The Trump administration argues that the order stymies federal immigration enforcement and acts as a preliminary injunction or temporary retraining order without meeting the threshold and is therefore unlawful.

“Inconvenience to the Court is not a basis to enter an injunction, and filings outside normal business hours, scheduling difficulties, and the possibility of hurried and frustrating hearings are not irreparable harms,” according to the complaint.

The Department of Justice has also asked that the judges recuse themselves from the case, and that either the 4th Circuit hear the case or a judge randomly selected from another district.

Abrego Garcia case

The Maryland court in Greenbelt has halted several immigration-related moves by the Trump administration, with the most high-profile case handled by Judge Paula Xinis, who ordered the return of the wrongfully deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia who was sent to a prison in El Salvador.

The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled the Trump administration must facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia. The Maryland man was brought back earlier this month, but to face federal charges on human smuggling that were filed after he was wrongfully deported and courts ordered his return.

The Maryland case is still ongoing, as Xinis is allowing discovery to determine if the Trump administration refused to comply with her order to return Abrego Garcia.

Another judge, Theodore David Chuang, in February partly granted a request from Quakers and other religious groups to limit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s authority to conduct immigration enforcement in houses of worship.

Last updated 4:22 p.m., Jun. 25, 2025

Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arkansas Advocate maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sonny Albarado for questions: info@arkansasadvocate.com.

The post Trump administration sues entire court bench in Maryland over pause in deportations appeared first on arkansasadvocate.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Left

This article reports on legal conflicts between the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts and federal courts, highlighting judicial actions that have challenged aggressive deportation policies. The tone reflects a critical view of the administration’s approach by emphasizing court rulings protecting due process and immigrant rights. While it presents the administration’s legal arguments, the focus on judicial pushback and cases like Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s underscores concerns about executive overreach and humanitarian issues, which aligns with a Center-Left perspective favoring checks on immigration enforcement and protection of immigrant rights within the legal system.

News from the South - Arkansas News Feed

Friends mourn and rally support after death of 6-year-old Odin Upton

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www.youtube.com – 40/29 News – 2025-08-08 23:23:45

SUMMARY: The community mourns the death of 6-year-old Odin Upton, whose body was found near his Gentry home after a full-scale search involving K-9s and helicopters. Although foul play is not suspected, the investigation remains open. Friends and neighbors are rallying to support the grieving family, organizing donations through an online meal train to help with groceries, funeral costs, and daily essentials. Bethany Cain, a family friend, highlights Odin’s playful spirit and notes the family has another child starting school soon. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office expresses deep sympathy for the family during this heartbreaking time.

Friends mourn and rally support after death of 6-year-old Odin Upton

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News from the South - Arkansas News Feed

Trump EPA claws back $7B in solar funding already promised to states

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arkansasadvocate.com – Jacob Fischler – 2025-08-08 16:35:00


Several congressional Democrats criticized the Trump administration for canceling nearly $7 billion in Solar for All grants, which fund solar energy projects for low-income households. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informed 60 grant recipients, including states and tribes, that unspent funds were rescinded following a July 4 reconciliation bill signed by Trump. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin claimed the agency lost legal authority to distribute the funds. Democrats condemned the move as illegal and harmful, warning it would raise energy costs and hinder clean energy efforts. The Solar for All program, established in 2022, aimed to bring solar benefits to 900,000 low-income households nationwide.

by Jacob Fischler, Arkansas Advocate
August 8, 2025

Several congressional Democrats on Friday slammed the Trump administration’s announcement it will cancel nearly $7 billion in grants to fund solar energy projects for low-income households, saying the move was illegal and would raise families’ energy prices if allowed to proceed.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sent notices to states and other recipients of grants through the Solar for All program, which Democrats created in their massive 2022 taxes, energy and domestic policy law, that the agency was canceling all unspent funds from the initiative.

The EPA said Republicans eliminated the federal fund that distributed the program’s money in the “one big, beautiful” law President Donald Trump signed on July 4.

On Thursday, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said on social media the law terminated the agency’s legal ability to distribute the funds.

Low-income communities priority for Arkansas’ $93.6 million federal solar grant

“The bottom line again is this: EPA no longer has the authority to administer the program or the appropriated funds to keep this boondoggle alive,” Zeldin said in a video posted to X. “With clear language and intent from Congress in the one big, beautiful bill, EPA is taking action to end this program for good. We are committed to the rule of law and being a good steward of taxpayer dollars.”

The move sparked a backlash from Democrats in Congress and the states, who said that rescinding the already-obligated funding violated the law.

“We are appalled and outraged at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) blatant and unlawful termination of $7 billion in federal funding for the 60 organizations that received awards through the Solar for All program,” the five Democratic members of Oregon’s congressional delegation wrote in a Friday letter to Zeldin and White House Budget Director Russell Vought.

“Solar for All funding has been approved by Congress and signed into law, and cancelling or rescinding these obligated funds is a violation of the law and the Constitution.”

Letters to 60 states, organizations

The 60 recipients of the grant awards, mostly state governments but also tribes and some multistate projects, received letters from the EPA on Thursday informing them the grants were being cancelled.

The letter sent to Oregon’s Department of Energy said the reconciliation bill Trump signed on July 4 rescinded the authorization and appropriations for the fund.

“Any attempt to continue the program’s administration, in the absence of any authorizing legislation or appropriated funds for that purpose, is no longer legally permissible,” the letter said.

“The EPA has been weighing options for the future of the Solar for All program and has made the decision to terminate the SFA program and existing grants because the EPA no longer has a statutory basis or dedicated funding to continue administering and overseeing the nearly $7 billion outlay to approximately 60 grant recipients.”

The letter said the EPA realized that recipients “may have begun to rely” on the program for preliminary budgeting and staffing decisions. But it said that “due to the early nature of such expenditures, we expect any harms to interests suffered to be remedied and remediable.”

In a statement Friday, the Oregon Department of Energy said it had already spent “significant administrative funds” to launch the program later this year, and hinted a legal challenge may come soon.

“The federal funding has already been obligated to Oregon, and the Oregon Solar for All Coalition,” the department statement read. “We are surprised and disappointed to hear the U.S. EPA is moving to rescind these already-obligated funds. ODOE will work with our partners, the Governor’s Office, and Oregon’s Attorney General to consider next steps to ensure these funds continue to serve Oregonians as intended.”

‘A betrayal’

Like the Oregon Democrats, New Jersey Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone, the ranking member on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, said the move was illegal and predicted it would raise energy prices.

“The Trump Administration is stealing from working families in broad daylight,” Pallone said in an early Friday statement. “This money was intended for our constituents and communities to help lower energy bills. Clawing these funds back isn’t just brazenly illegal – it’s a betrayal by this Administration of working families who will now pay higher energy bills just so Republicans can grind their axe against clean energy.”

Other Democrats, including Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, also focused on the economic impact.

“President Trump ran on lowering costs and creating jobs,” Hobbs wrote on X. “Gutting Solar for All will do the exact opposite. It makes our air dirtier, our energy bills higher, and our economy weaker. I will continue to fight for the clean and affordable energy future Arizonans want and deserve.”

Democrats created the Solar for All fund as part of the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund in the law they passed without any GOP support in either chamber and President Joe Biden signed in August 2022.

The Solar for All fund was meant to bring the benefits of solar power to 900,000 households in low-income communities, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

According to a list on the EPA website, the awardees included the Executive Office of the State of New Hampshire; Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources; the Maine Governor’s Energy Office; the Alaska Energy Authority; the Oregon Department of Energy; Washington State Department of Commerce; Bonneville Environmental Foundation in Idaho; Tanana Chiefs Conference in Alaska; New Jersey Board of Public Utilities; Maryland Clean Energy Center; Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority; Virginia Department of Energy; West Virginia Office of Energy; Department of Environment and Conservation Tennessee; Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet; North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality; South Carolina Office of Resilience; the Solar and Energy Loan Fund of St. Lucie County, Inc., in Florida; the Capital Good Fund in Georgia; Minnesota Department of Commerce; the State of Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy; the State of Ohio Office of Budget and Management State Accounting; Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation; Indiana Community Action Association Inc.; New Mexico Energy, Minerals, & Natural Resources Department; State of Louisiana Department of Natural Resources; Hope Enterprise Corporation in Arkansas; the Missouri Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority; the Center for Rural Affairs in Nebraska; Colorado Energy Office; Utah Office of Energy Development; Bonneville Environmental Foundation in Montana; Coalition for Green Capital in North Dakota; Coalition for Green Capital in South Dakota; Executive Office of the State of Arizona; Nevada Clean Energy Fund; Hopi Utilities Corporation in Arizona; and other programs that covered multiple states and tribes.

Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arkansas Advocate maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sonny Albarado for questions: info@arkansasadvocate.com.

The post Trump EPA claws back $7B in solar funding already promised to states appeared first on arkansasadvocate.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Left

This content primarily presents a perspective aligned with Democratic viewpoints, emphasizing criticism of a Trump administration decision to cancel funding for a solar energy program aimed at low-income households. It highlights concerns about legal and economic impacts raised by Democrats, while providing context about the program’s origins in Democratic-led legislation. The coverage is generally supportive of clean energy initiatives and frames the cancellation as harmful, reflecting a center-left bias without extreme partisanship or overtly ideological language.

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News from the South - Arkansas News Feed

Arkansas courts director elected to national board of judicial administrators

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arkansasadvocate.com – Tess Vrbin – 2025-08-07 17:31:00


Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts Director Marty Sullivan began a three-year term on the national Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) board on July 30, 2025. Sullivan, with extensive judicial administration experience since 2003, was appointed AOC director in 2017. COSCA includes chief court executives nationwide. Despite his new role, Sullivan has faced conflict with Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Karen Baker, who attempted to fire him and other AOC staff in January—a move blocked by five justices. Baker’s unauthorized office entry and alleged harassment led Sullivan to request she avoid AOC offices pending a disciplinary review. Litigation between them continues.

by Tess Vrbin, Arkansas Advocate
August 7, 2025

Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts Director Marty Sullivan began serving on a national board of judicial administrators July 30, according to a Thursday AOC news release.

Sullivan’s term on the board of directors for the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) will last three years. COSCA consists of the chief executives of the court systems in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.

Sullivan has worked for AOC since 2003 and served as Judicial Branch Education Director from 2007 to 2017, when he was appointed director by the state Supreme Court’s then-Chief Justice, John Dan Kemp.

He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Arkansas and master’s degrees from Michigan State University and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, according to Thursday’s news release.

Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts Director Marty Sullivan (Courtesy photo/AOC)

Sullivan’s “vast experience” in judicial administration makes him “a valued addition to the COSCA Board of Directors,” COSCA President Corey Steel said in the release.

In a statement, Sullivan said he is “honored” to serve on the board of “an institution that plays a vital role in strengthening the administration of justice in our country.”

“I have deep respect for my colleagues and am humbled by the trust they have placed in me,” Sullivan said. “I look forward to contributing to policy efforts that positively impact the lives of citizens who rely on our nation’s courts.”

Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Karen Baker attempted to fire Sullivan and nine other AOC employees in January. Five of the other six justices blocked Baker’s attempted unilateral decision, calling it “retaliatory” and beyond the scope of her authority.

The same five justices made an employment agreement with Sullivan in December, guaranteeing him job security until the end of 2032 and nearly $1.6 million in pay over that time. The agreement came after Baker, who had been elected but not sworn in as the state’s first female chief justice, entered Sullivan’s office without his permission when he was absent on Dec. 4.

Arkansas Supreme Court chief justice says dispute over her authority could lead to litigation

Baker “was observed looking throughout Mr. Sullivan’s office, including the area behind his desk” and harassed AOC staff, according to a human resources report on the incident made public in March.

On Jan. 13, Sullivan asked Baker to stay away from the AOC offices and not to communicate with his staff, pending the conclusion of a review by the state’s judicial discipline commission.

Baker filed an administrative civil appeal with the Supreme Court against Sullivan later in January; the litigation is still pending.

COSCA works closely with state Supreme Court chief justices “on issues of mutual interest,” according to Thursday’s news release.

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Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arkansas Advocate maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sonny Albarado for questions: info@arkansasadvocate.com.

The post Arkansas courts director elected to national board of judicial administrators appeared first on arkansasadvocate.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The content presents a factual and balanced report on the professional achievements of Marty Sullivan and the internal disputes within the Arkansas judicial system. It avoids partisan language or ideological framing, focusing instead on institutional roles, official statements, and documented events. The coverage of conflict between judicial figures is presented with references to multiple perspectives and official sources, reflecting a neutral tone without favoring any political side.

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