Kyle Cheney
@kyledcheney.bsky.social
Senior legal affairs reporter at POLITICO with a focus on democracy, the balance of power and the clash between the Trump administration and courts.
JUST IN: Judge Provinzino in Minnesota has held a Justice Department attorney in civil contempt for violations of her order requiring the return of a released ICE detainee’s ID documents. He must pay $500 a day until the documents are returned.
February 18, 2026 at 11:41 PM
JUST IN: Judge Provinzino in Minnesota has held a Justice Department attorney in civil contempt for violations of her order requiring the return of a released ICE detainee’s ID documents. He must pay $500 a day until the documents are returned.
NEW: DOJ told a judge in New Jersey that it had violated court orders about 54 times between Dec. 5 and this week — the latest accounting of a phenomenon that used to be rare and is now rampant. www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 18, 2026 at 4:33 PM
NEW: DOJ told a judge in New Jersey that it had violated court orders about 54 times between Dec. 5 and this week — the latest accounting of a phenomenon that used to be rare and is now rampant. www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
NEW: Judges are asking increasingly pointed questions about why ICE is detaining pregnant/nursing mothers — and whether a 2021 policy sharply restricting the practice remains in force.
They’ve ordered many released, warning of threats to safety/health.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
They’ve ordered many released, warning of threats to safety/health.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Judges decry treatment of nursing and pregnant detainees in ICE custody
The agency has declined to say whether a Biden-era policy largely barring detention for pregnant and nursing mothers remains in force.
www.politico.com
February 18, 2026 at 11:42 AM
NEW: Judges are asking increasingly pointed questions about why ICE is detaining pregnant/nursing mothers — and whether a 2021 policy sharply restricting the practice remains in force.
They’ve ordered many released, warning of threats to safety/health.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
They’ve ordered many released, warning of threats to safety/health.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
NEW: Here’s our searchable list of federal judges who have ruled on the legality of ICE’s mass detention policy — with links to key decisions by each.
At least 380 district judges have rejected it in ~3,800 cases. 31 have upheld ICE’s approach ~180 times
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
At least 380 district judges have rejected it in ~3,800 cases. 31 have upheld ICE’s approach ~180 times
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Our running list of judges who have ruled on ICE’s mass detention policy
POLITICO is keeping track of the federal judges who have ruled on the administration’s effort to systematically lock up thousands of people.
www.politico.com
February 18, 2026 at 11:35 AM
NEW: Here’s our searchable list of federal judges who have ruled on the legality of ICE’s mass detention policy — with links to key decisions by each.
At least 380 district judges have rejected it in ~3,800 cases. 31 have upheld ICE’s approach ~180 times
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
At least 380 district judges have rejected it in ~3,800 cases. 31 have upheld ICE’s approach ~180 times
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
JUST IN: Judge Xinis reinforces her order keeping Kilmar Abrego Garcia out of ICE detention, saying the administration doesn’t appear particularly close to securing his deportation to Liberia (or anywhere else)
Also a discourse on meaning of “nunc pro tunc”
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Also a discourse on meaning of “nunc pro tunc”
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com
February 17, 2026 at 5:11 PM
JUST IN: Judge Xinis reinforces her order keeping Kilmar Abrego Garcia out of ICE detention, saying the administration doesn’t appear particularly close to securing his deportation to Liberia (or anywhere else)
Also a discourse on meaning of “nunc pro tunc”
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Also a discourse on meaning of “nunc pro tunc”
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
JUST IN: A federal magistrate judge has denied Minnesota's bid for quick discovery in case to End Operation Metro Surge, despite finding it has had "a devastating impact on Minnesota residents" an accountability is still "in its infancy." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 16, 2026 at 7:41 PM
JUST IN: A federal magistrate judge has denied Minnesota's bid for quick discovery in case to End Operation Metro Surge, despite finding it has had "a devastating impact on Minnesota residents" an accountability is still "in its infancy." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
👀 Invoking Orwell, a federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore panels and historical acknowledgments of the history of slavery that the National Park Service removed in Philadelphia. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 16, 2026 at 6:24 PM
👀 Invoking Orwell, a federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore panels and historical acknowledgments of the history of slavery that the National Park Service removed in Philadelphia. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
👀 A federal judge has ordered the disclosure of a roster of DOGE employees and affiliates, as well as a text message revealing a top NEH official’s views on “woke” and “progressive” grants. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 14, 2026 at 1:43 AM
👀 A federal judge has ordered the disclosure of a roster of DOGE employees and affiliates, as well as a text message revealing a top NEH official’s views on “woke” and “progressive” grants. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
JUST IN: After Secretary Rubio declined a judge's suggestion to return illegally deported Any Lopez Belloza – a 20 year old Babson student who was sent to Honduras in defiance of a court order — Judge Stearns has orderd the admin to facilitate her return. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 13, 2026 at 6:45 PM
JUST IN: After Secretary Rubio declined a judge's suggestion to return illegally deported Any Lopez Belloza – a 20 year old Babson student who was sent to Honduras in defiance of a court order — Judge Stearns has orderd the admin to facilitate her return. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
BREAKING: The Trump administraiton has committed a mass violation of ICE detainees' constitutional rights in MN, effectively blocking their acess to attorneys in the Whipple building, a judge ruled tonight.
The judge: Trump appointeee Nancy Brasel
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The judge: Trump appointeee Nancy Brasel
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 13, 2026 at 12:00 AM
BREAKING: The Trump administraiton has committed a mass violation of ICE detainees' constitutional rights in MN, effectively blocking their acess to attorneys in the Whipple building, a judge ruled tonight.
The judge: Trump appointeee Nancy Brasel
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The judge: Trump appointeee Nancy Brasel
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
NEW: We’re publishing a full list of the 373 federal judges who have ruled against ICE’s mass detention policy and the 28 who have endorsed it — as well as links to key rulings by each.
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 12, 2026 at 10:01 PM
NEW: We’re publishing a full list of the 373 federal judges who have ruled against ICE’s mass detention policy and the 28 who have endorsed it — as well as links to key rulings by each.
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
BREAKING: Judge Leon *rejects* Secretary Hegseth's bid to punish Sen. Kelly for advising troops to ignore illegal orders. ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
February 12, 2026 at 5:45 PM
BREAKING: Judge Leon *rejects* Secretary Hegseth's bid to punish Sen. Kelly for advising troops to ignore illegal orders. ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
JUST IN: Judge BOASBERG has ordered the Trump administration to facilitate the return of Venezuelan men illegally deported under the Alien Enemies Act and who are currently in countries other than Venezuela.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 12, 2026 at 4:15 PM
JUST IN: Judge BOASBERG has ordered the Trump administration to facilitate the return of Venezuelan men illegally deported under the Alien Enemies Act and who are currently in countries other than Venezuela.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
JUST IN: Judge Kelly has barred the Trump administration from transfering 20 former death row inmates (commuted to life sentences by Biden) to the notorious ADX supermax prison, saying they were given "sham" due process after decision was made. ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
February 12, 2026 at 2:29 AM
JUST IN: Judge Kelly has barred the Trump administration from transfering 20 former death row inmates (commuted to life sentences by Biden) to the notorious ADX supermax prison, saying they were given "sham" due process after decision was made. ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
Another memorable ruling out of West Virginia, where Judge Goodwin — a Clinton appointee — excoriates the treatment of ICE detainees.
"This is not what civil enforcement looks like in a humane system of government under law."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
"This is not what civil enforcement looks like in a humane system of government under law."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 AM
Another memorable ruling out of West Virginia, where Judge Goodwin — a Clinton appointee — excoriates the treatment of ICE detainees.
"This is not what civil enforcement looks like in a humane system of government under law."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
"This is not what civil enforcement looks like in a humane system of government under law."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Kyle Cheney
1. The FBI affidavit used to seize ballots and other materials from the 2020 election in Fulton County relies on debunked conspiracy theories. For example, it isn’t true that Fulton first “reported” 511,343 ballots and then “reported” 527,925. I’ll explain.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 10, 2026 at 9:56 PM
1. The FBI affidavit used to seize ballots and other materials from the 2020 election in Fulton County relies on debunked conspiracy theories. For example, it isn’t true that Fulton first “reported” 511,343 ballots and then “reported” 527,925. I’ll explain.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The Trump administration quietly tried to drop its lawsuit against federal judges in Maryland over their blanket policy to slow down habeas cases. The case had become moot, they said.
But the 4th Circuit still wants a swing. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
But the 4th Circuit still wants a swing. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 10, 2026 at 8:41 PM
The Trump administration quietly tried to drop its lawsuit against federal judges in Maryland over their blanket policy to slow down habeas cases. The case had become moot, they said.
But the 4th Circuit still wants a swing. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
But the 4th Circuit still wants a swing. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
NEW: The 5th Circuit’s ruling backing the ICE’s mass detention policy may have a seismic impact — but early results suggest judges in Texas see other, constitutional grounds to continue ordering the release of detainees. www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 10, 2026 at 7:11 PM
NEW: The 5th Circuit’s ruling backing the ICE’s mass detention policy may have a seismic impact — but early results suggest judges in Texas see other, constitutional grounds to continue ordering the release of detainees. www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
JUST IN: A federal judge in Michigan has rejected the administration's attempt to obtain the state's voter rolls.
Judge Hala Jarbou, a Trump appointee, said the law does not require the state to turn them over.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Judge Hala Jarbou, a Trump appointee, said the law does not require the state to turn them over.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 10, 2026 at 2:37 PM
JUST IN: A federal judge in Michigan has rejected the administration's attempt to obtain the state's voter rolls.
Judge Hala Jarbou, a Trump appointee, said the law does not require the state to turn them over.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Judge Hala Jarbou, a Trump appointee, said the law does not require the state to turn them over.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
NEW: Federal judges are increasingly furious at what they see as a pattern / playbook of defiance by the Trump administration to court orders in immigration cases — in Minnesota and around the country.
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
How the Trump administration skirts — and defies — court rulings on ICE detentions
A POLITICO review of hundreds of cases brought by ICE detainees shows a pattern of noncompliance that has frustrated judges across the country.
www.politico.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:15 AM
NEW: Federal judges are increasingly furious at what they see as a pattern / playbook of defiance by the Trump administration to court orders in immigration cases — in Minnesota and around the country.
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
JUST IN: DOJ is trying to help Steve Bannon erase his conviction for defying a subpoena from the Jan. 6 committee. Motion has no career prosecutor on it, just signed by US Attorney Pirro. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 9, 2026 at 7:11 PM
JUST IN: DOJ is trying to help Steve Bannon erase his conviction for defying a subpoena from the Jan. 6 committee. Motion has no career prosecutor on it, just signed by US Attorney Pirro. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
BREAKING: A 5th Circuit panel has backed ICE's mass detention policy, a decision that clears the way for the administration to lock up people who are in immigration proceedings
It's a 2-1 ruling
Majority: Jones (Reagan), Duncan (Trump)
Minority: Douglas (Obama)
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
It's a 2-1 ruling
Majority: Jones (Reagan), Duncan (Trump)
Minority: Douglas (Obama)
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
February 7, 2026 at 1:56 AM
BREAKING: A 5th Circuit panel has backed ICE's mass detention policy, a decision that clears the way for the administration to lock up people who are in immigration proceedings
It's a 2-1 ruling
Majority: Jones (Reagan), Duncan (Trump)
Minority: Douglas (Obama)
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
It's a 2-1 ruling
Majority: Jones (Reagan), Duncan (Trump)
Minority: Douglas (Obama)
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
JUST IN: A federal judge has barred ICE and DHS from using taxpayer information provided by the IRS.
Judge Talwani says that DHS' view that noncitizens lack 4th amendment rights — combined with ICE use of administrative warrants — is a recipe for abuse.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Judge Talwani says that DHS' view that noncitizens lack 4th amendment rights — combined with ICE use of administrative warrants — is a recipe for abuse.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 5, 2026 at 9:55 PM
JUST IN: A federal judge has barred ICE and DHS from using taxpayer information provided by the IRS.
Judge Talwani says that DHS' view that noncitizens lack 4th amendment rights — combined with ICE use of administrative warrants — is a recipe for abuse.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Judge Talwani says that DHS' view that noncitizens lack 4th amendment rights — combined with ICE use of administrative warrants — is a recipe for abuse.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
NEW: The top Trump-appointed proseutor in MN says his office is dropping "pressing priorities" to manage crushing immigration workload.
His short-staffed office is doing constant overtime and bouncing between contempt hearings.
The bleak assessment:
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
His short-staffed office is doing constant overtime and bouncing between contempt hearings.
The bleak assessment:
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 5, 2026 at 2:29 PM
NEW: The top Trump-appointed proseutor in MN says his office is dropping "pressing priorities" to manage crushing immigration workload.
His short-staffed office is doing constant overtime and bouncing between contempt hearings.
The bleak assessment:
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
His short-staffed office is doing constant overtime and bouncing between contempt hearings.
The bleak assessment:
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
NEW: A rupture between DOJ and ICE has emerged in Minnesota, where overwhelmed prosecutors keep dropping the ball — and saying ICE won't return their messages.
The crisis has had real-world consequences for migrants illegally detained
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
The crisis has had real-world consequences for migrants illegally detained
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 4, 2026 at 8:27 PM
NEW: A rupture between DOJ and ICE has emerged in Minnesota, where overwhelmed prosecutors keep dropping the ball — and saying ICE won't return their messages.
The crisis has had real-world consequences for migrants illegally detained
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
The crisis has had real-world consequences for migrants illegally detained
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...