Trump admin hit with explosive warning from fed-up judge: 'ICE is not a law unto itself'

A federal judge blasted President Donald Trump's Immigration and Customs Enforcement forces in a scathing order on Wednesday that gave the administration a temporary win.

Kyle Cheney, senior legal affairs reporter for Politico, posted on X that the order cancelled an upcoming contempt hearing scheduled for Friday. Federal Judge Patrick J. Schiltz of the District of Minnesota had previously compelled acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to appear in court and answer questions about the agency's ability to comply with court orders.

Even though Schiltz agreed to cancel Lyons' court date, he took the time to admonish Lyons' agency for its repeated failure to follow orders.

Schiltz noted 74 instances in his four-page opinion in which ICE failed to abide by court orders, a list he said "should give pause to anyone—no matter his or her political beliefs—who cares about the rule of law."

"ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence," Schiltz wrote. "The Court warns ICE that future noncompliance with court orders may result in future show‐cause orders requiring the personal appearances of Lyons or other government officials. ICE is not a law unto itself. ICE has every right to challenge the orders of this Court, but, like any litigant, ICE must follow those orders unless and until they are overturned or vacated."

Read the entire opinion by clicking here.