In a per curiam order, the panel of Circuit Judges Rao, Walker, and Childs "ORDERED that the petition for a writ of mandamus be granted." The order vacates the district court's December 8, 2025 order and directs the court "to terminate its criminal contempt proceedings in this case."
Circuit Judge Rao wrote the opinion for the court. Circuit Judge Walker filed a concurring opinion. Circuit Judge Childs filed a dissent.
The panel also dissolved an administrative stay entered on December 12, 2025. That dissolution takes effect "in 21 days, when this order becomes effective," the panel said, citing D.C. Circuit Rule 41(a)(3).
The court dismissed as moot two remaining items: the petitioners' emergency motion for a stay pending resolution of the mandamus petition, and the government's request to reassign the criminal contempt proceedings to a different judge.
The underlying matter is docketed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia as 1:25-cv-00766-JEB.