A federal judge has ruled that Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is in civil contempt of court for disobeying an order in a major immigration case. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams decided that Uthmeier’s actions showed a disregard for her clear judicial instructions. Despite being found in contempt, Uthmeier stated, “This Judge is considering whether or not to hold me in contempt. But I am not going to rubber-stamp her order. I’m not going to direct law enforcement to stand down on enforcing the Trump agenda and carrying out Florida’s law.”
As reported by NBC News, the case involves a Florida immigration law passed this year by Governor Ron DeSantis, which makes it a crime for someone in the country without legal status to enter or re-enter the state, treating it as a misdemeanor. Judge Williams issued a restraining order in April, temporarily stopping the enforcement of this law. After this, Uthmeier first sent a notice to state agencies informing them of the order, though he clearly disagreed with it and planned to appeal.
