I’m used to judicial opinions and orders including some character. The really good ones are clear and concise with a touch of flair — maybe humor, maybe mild snark, maybe some scolding where warranted. Rarely, though, do they wander over into raw emotion — particularly not when it comes to a procedural ruling, like whether or not to issue a stay pending appeal.
I guess it’s a brave new world, though, because not only did the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals issue an order denying the Trump administration’s motion to stay Judge Paula Xinis’ rulings in the Abrego Garcia case pending appeal of her amended injunction and order of discovery, it did so with a rhetorical flourish that leaves no uncertainty about the personal feelings of its author(s) — the order is credited to Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III, but Judges Robert King and Stephanie Thacker both…
