Thoughts for the Day, January 29, 2026: 96 ignored court orders by ICE in January. More than most agencies have had in their entire existence.
Ninety-six noncompliance incidents of Judge’s orders in one month by ICE. And they call them
On Monday, Judge Patrick Schlitz in Minnesota. ordered in Juan, T.R. v Noem that the acting Director of ICE, Todd Lyons, would have to appear in court on Friday, in person, unless ICE complied with his order to either hold a bond hearing for or release the petitioner in the case, Juan.
Subsequently, ICE released him. But that wasn’t the last word in the matter by Judge Schlitz.
In Judge Schlitz’s order to dismiss the case against Lyons, Schlitz expressed his frustration with ICE and its lack of compliance with Judges’ orders. Here is what Judge Schlitz documented in an official court record about ICE’s lack of compliance. Comments like these are rarely seen in court orders.
”Attached to this order is an appendix that identifies 96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases. The extent of ICE’s noncompliance is almost certainly substantially understated. This list is confined to orders issued since January 1, 2026, and the list was hurriedly compiled by extraordinarily busy judges. Undoubtedly, mistakes were made, and orders that should have appeared on this list were omitted. This list 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…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.”
This lack of respect for the law, the Constitution, history, rules and regulations throughout this administration is what scares me the most. They talk about law and order only when it fits their storyline. Otherwise, laws, the Constitution, orders, rules and regulations are inconveniences that they must overcome.
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What have you done for me lately?
Immediately after the Schlitz ruling, Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Homeland Security Department, dismissed Schlitz’s concerns about the violations as a “diatribe from this activist judge,” and noted his decision to relent on having Mr. Lyons appear. “We will not be deterred by activists either in the streets or on the bench,” she said in an emailed statement.
The attacks came despite the judge’s résumé, which is studded with conservative credentials, and his nearly 20-year career on the federal bench. Before being appointed by President George W. Bush in 2006, Judge Schiltz cut his teeth with several of the most celebrated conservative jurists of recent generations.
After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1985, Judge Schiltz clerked for Justice Antonin G. Scalia in Mr. Scalia’s final stretch as an appellate judge in Washington, arriving just before Mr. Scalia was nominated to the Supreme Court. At his confirmation hearing in 1986, Justice Scalia turned around to thank Judge Schiltz for helping him prepare for questions.
The above response to the Schlitz ruling by ICE spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin is consistent with what we have seen from the Trump administration since 2017. No matter one’s history, no matter one’s credentials, no matter what one has done for the Trump administration in the past, someone’s loyalty is only judged by what you have done for me recently.
Trump and his team will throw anyone and everyone under the bus if they stand up and push back on Trump, no matter their previous loyalty to Trump. It takes people with strong character and a willingness to take risk to stand up to Trump.
Judge Schlitz has the character and strength to stand up to Trump and his administration and is not concerned about Trump’s reaction.
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This should be a Wakeup Call.
The above comment by Judge Schlitz indicating that ICE has disobeyed more court orders in one month, than most agencies have disobeyed in their entire existence should be a wakeup call.
· It should be a wakeup call to the Republican congressman who refuse to hold the Trump administration accountable to court orders.
· It should be a wakeup call, to those who think the Trump administration represents law and order and the rule of law.
· It should be a wakeup call for those who continue to support Trump and his administration moving forward.
· It should be a wakeup call to those who think the Republican members of Congress will hold the Trump administration responsible to follow court orders
The above articles included information and text from Joyce Vance and the NY Times.
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Michigan vs. MSU: Top ranked teams going against each other for both the men and women
Not only are the top ranked men’s team MSU (#7) versus UofM (#3) going at it on Friday, but the top ranked women’s teams MSU (#11) vs UofM (#9) are going at it on Sunday.
I am not sure if there has ever been a college basketball weekend during the regular season like this in Michigan before. Combine this with the Piston’s having the best record in the Eastern Conference of the NBA, Michigan is currently home to some of the best basketball in the country.
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Contact your Congressperson
Contact your congressman by following these easy steps
This can be done in a few easy steps.
Step 1: find your congressman by clicking on this link, Find Your Representative | house.gov
Step 2: Put your zip code in the proper space.
Step 3: Click the button “find your representative”
Step 4: In the new page that comes up you will see a picture of your congressman. Click on your congressman’s name under the picture.
Step 5: In the new page that comes up, Click on Contact Me at the top of the page and then click on Email me.
Step 6: Fill out the information as required.
Quote of the Day: “ ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence…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.” Minnesota Federal Judge, Patrick Schlitz
Orchid of the Day: Hockeytown. While writing this blog tonight I have been listening to the Red Wings’ game on HULU. It is being announced by the Washington announcers. It is cool to hear out-of-town announcers refer to Detroit as Hockeytown. It is a title that has been earned over the last 50 years.
Second Orchid of the Day: Red Wings Patrick Kane, who with an assist in the second period in tonight’s game against the Capitals recorded his 1375 point in his career. With the point, Kane past Michigan native Mike Modano as the highest scoring American born player in NHL history. Having the record broken in Hockeytown is perfect.
Onion of the Day: ICE. Disobeying 96 court orders is not something to be proud of.
Question of the Day: Michigan vs. MSU on Friday. Who will win?
Lyrics of the Day:
Through the winter’s ice and cold
Down Nicollet Avenue
A city aflame fought fire and ice
‘Neath an occupier’s boots
King Trump’s private army from the DHS
Guns belted to their coats
Came to Minneapolis to enforce the law or so their story goes
Against smoke and rubber bullets in the dawn’s early light citizens stood for justice
Their voices ringin through the night
And there were bloody footprints
Where mercy should have stood
And two dead, left to die on snow-filled streets Alex Pretti and Renee Good
Oh, our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Singing through the bloody mist
We’ll take our stand for this land And the stranger in our midst
Here in our home, they killed and roamed in the winter of ‘26. We’ll remember the names of those who died on the streets of Minneapolis
If you know the answer, please feel free to use the comment section of the blog to respond.
Lyrics of the Day for January 28, 2026. “What’s going On” Marvyn Gaye
Video of the Day: The New Springsteen video on Minnesota