Ethics
Florida AG held in civil contempt for disobeying order; ‘litigants cannot change the plain meaning of words,’ judge says
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier speaks during a meeting at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida, on March 5, 2025. (Photo by Rebecca Blackwell/The Associated Press)
A federal judge held Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier in civil contempt of court Tuesday for disobeying an order temporarily blocking a state immigration law.
U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams of the Southern District of Florida said Uthmeier disobeyed her directive to provide actual notice of a temporary restraining order to law enforcement agencies with power to enforce it.
The April 18 TRO had blocked a law that made it a state crime for immigrants in the country to illegally enter Florida.
The decision was a “rare and forceful rebuke,” according to a June 17 press release by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, one of the groups representing the plaintiffs.
The New York Times, Law360, the Tampa Bay Times and NBC News are among the publications covering Williams’ June 17 order.
Williams issued the TRO after finding that the Florida law was likely preempted by federal law. She later issued an injunction, which the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Atlanta refused to disturb, according to Law360.
At first, Uthmeier told law enforcement agencies about Williams’ order. Then, in an April 23 letter, Uthmeier said he thinks that Williams’ order can’t bind independent law enforcement agencies because they aren’t parties to the case.
“No lawful, legitimate order currently impedes” enforcement of the illegal entry law, Uthmeier said in the letter.
Williams said Uthmeier also “publicly disavowed” his compliance several times, stating that he would not “bow down” to the court.
Williams had argued that Uthmeier’s letter was intended to explain his legal views and to keep law enforcement informed of litigation updates. Williams said Uthmeier was twisting the meaning of his words.
“Litigants cannot change the plain meaning of words as it suits them, especially when conveying a court’s clear and unambiguous order,” said Williams, an appointee of former President Barack Obama. “Fidelity to the rule of law can have no other meaning.”
Williams ruled a few weeks after a hearing in which she said “anarchy” would be the result if officials such as Uthmeier fail to follow court orders, according to the New York Times.
Williams ordered Uthmeier to file biweekly reports detailing whether arrests, detentions or law enforcement actions were undertaken. He should also immediately notify the court if he learns of arrests, Williams said.
Uthmeier responded in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“If being held in contempt is what it costs to defend the rule of law and stand firmly behind President Trump’s agenda on illegal immigration, so be it,” he wrote.
The case is Florida Immigrant Coalition v. Uthmeier.
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