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yesterday

Judge Blocks Trump’s Plan to Send Biden-Commuted Inmates to Federal Supermax

The court cited likely predetermined transfers that deprived the inmates of meaningful due process.

This photo taken on February 13, 2019 shows a view of the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility, also known as the ADX or "Supermax", in Florence, Colorado. (Photo by Jason Connolly/AFP via Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after signing a spending bill that ends a partial shutdown of the federal government in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Image
Rejon Taylor is seen in an undated photograph taken at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Overview

  • The preliminary injunction bars transfers to ADX Florence and keeps the 20 plaintiffs at the Terre Haute penitentiary as the lawsuit proceeds.
  • U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly found the redesignations were likely predecided and said the inmates had no meaningful opportunity to be heard.
  • The case stems from President Joe Biden’s December 2024 commutations for 37 federal death-row prisoners, with 20 now challenging their redesignations.
  • On Inauguration Day, President Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to ensure confinement conditions matched the “monstrosity” of the crimes, a directive the court said drove the ADX plan.
  • Government lawyers argue the Bureau of Prisons has broad placement authority, while plaintiffs point to ADX’s extreme isolation; the Justice Department’s next steps have not been announced.