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Florida AG held in civil contempt for disobeying…
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Florida AG held in civil contempt for disobeying order; ‘litigants can’t change the plain which means of phrases,’ choose says
By Debra Cassens Weiss
June 18, 2025, 2:05 pm CDT
Florida Lawyer Normal James Uthmeier speaks throughout a gathering on the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida, on March 5, 2025. (Photograph by Rebecca Blackwell/The Related Press)
A federal choose held Florida Lawyer Normal James Uthmeier in civil contempt of courtroom Tuesday for disobeying an order briefly blocking a state immigration legislation.
U.S. District Decide Kathleen M. Williams of the Southern District of Florida stated Uthmeier disobeyed her directive to supply precise discover of a brief restraining order to legislation enforcement companies with energy to implement it.
The April 18 TRO had blocked a legislation that made it a state crime for immigrants within the nation to illegally enter Florida.
The choice was a “uncommon and forceful rebuke,” in keeping with a June 17 press launch by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, one of many teams representing the plaintiffs.
The New York Instances, Law360, the Tampa Bay Instances and NBC Information are among the many publications masking Williams’ June 17 order.
Williams issued the TRO after discovering that the Florida legislation was seemingly preempted by federal legislation. She later issued an injunction, which the eleventh U.S. Circuit Court docket of Appeals at Atlanta refused to disturb, in keeping with Law360.
At first, Uthmeier instructed legislation enforcement companies about Williams’ order. Then, in an April 23 letter, Uthmeier stated he thinks that Williams’ order can’t bind unbiased legislation enforcement companies as a result of they aren’t events to the case.
“No lawful, legit order at the moment impedes” enforcement of the unlawful entry legislation, Uthmeier stated within the letter.
Williams stated Uthmeier additionally “publicly disavowed” his compliance a number of instances, stating that he wouldn’t “bow down” to the courtroom.
Williams had argued that Uthmeier’s letter was supposed to elucidate his authorized views and to maintain legislation enforcement knowledgeable of litigation updates. Williams stated Uthmeier was twisting the which means of his phrases.
“Litigants can’t change the plain which means of phrases because it fits them, particularly when conveying a courtroom’s clear and unambiguous order,” stated Williams, an appointee of former President Barack Obama. “Constancy to the rule of legislation can haven’t any different which means.”
Williams dominated a couple of weeks after a listening to through which she stated “anarchy” can be the consequence if officers reminiscent of Uthmeier fail to observe courtroom orders, in keeping with the New York Instances.
Williams ordered Uthmeier to file biweekly experiences detailing whether or not arrests, detentions or legislation enforcement actions have been undertaken. He must also instantly notify the courtroom if he learns of arrests, Williams stated.
Uthmeier responded in a put up on X, previously often known as Twitter.
“If being held in contempt is what it prices to defend the rule of legislation and stand firmly behind President Trump’s agenda on unlawful immigration, so be it,” he wrote.
The case is Florida Immigrant Coalition v. Uthmeier.
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