Jorge Amador
Contributing Writer
On April 16, a federal judge found probable cause to hold members of the Trump administration in contempt of court for failing to comply with an order to halt the deportation of individuals protected under a court injunction. U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston stated that the executive branch had demonstrated a “pattern of disregard for judicial authority.”
The Trump administration’s ongoing defiance of court rulings represents more than a legal issue; it demonstrates a fundamental weakening of institutional checks and balances. When executive officials deliberately refuse to follow imminent court orders, serious questions arise about the future of democratic accountability. These violations are not mere isolated events; they are examples of a systemic contempt for the rule of law that characterized much of Trump’s political legacy.
More troubling than the violations themselves is the normalization of violating the law. For many, especially younger generations and marginalized communities, having a foundation of trust in the legal system was never a valid option. Now, the meager trust that existed is being further put to the test. If an administration can violate a court order without substantial consequences, to whom is the law really accountable, whom does it serve, whom does it protect, and whom does it leave behind?
According to court documents reviewed by The New York Times, the Department of Homeland Security proceeded with deportation proceedings for several asylum seekers in defiance of a preliminary injunction issued in February. The injunction explicitly barred such removals while the court reviewed the Trump administration’s “Liberation Day” policy, a directive announced in March that seeks to expedite deportations and narrow asylum eligibility by executive order, bypassing traditional legislative procedures.
The case adds to a growing list of legal challenges involving President Donald Trump, who is also facing multiple state and federal indictments, including charges related to election interference and the mishandling of classified documents.
While the legal ramifications remain uncertain, the political implications are resonating across college campuses, including UC Santa Barbara (UCSB).
“If actually charged, there could be monetary sanctions or even jail time for officials, although that usually doesn’t happen,” Ciera Hermano-Johnson, a second-year political science major at UCSB, told The Bottom Line (TBL). “However, considering the track record of this administration, it likely won’t lead to anything.”
Hermano-Johnson is also the co-chair of UCSB’s Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA), a student-led organization that advocates for democratic socialism and structural reform through community organizing, mutual aid, and campus activism.
She noted: “I’ve never had any faith in the executive branch or any part of the American government. I think we should burn the Constitution and start over.”
When asked about how the judiciary fits into the case, she responded: “This is another example of liberals taking symbolic actions, clinging to the concept of normalcy that has already faded. The judicial system is floundering in the face of Trump’s power.”
Reflecting on historical parallels, Hermano-Johnson said, “This reminds me of the Andrew Jackson case back in 1832. Both involved immigration and the executive branch defying Supreme Court orders.”
That 1832 conflict, known as Worcester v. Georgia saw the Supreme Court rule in favor of Cherokee sovereignty only for Jackson to ignore the decision, resulting in the Trail of Tears and the death of thousands of Native Americans. Hermano-Johnson sees echoes of that defiance in today’s political climate. “It speaks to a larger history of American identity being rooted in genocide and racism,” she said.
Those interested in UCSB’s YDSA can find more information on their website, or attend their meetings at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays at St. Michael’s University Church near campus.
“There’s growing disillusionment with the American government,” Hermano-Johnson added. “People know the justice system has always been unjust, and the odds are stacked against them.”