The three-judge panel vacated a December 8, 2025 district court order and directed the lower court to end its criminal contempt proceedings entirely. Circuit Judge Rao wrote for the majority, joined by Circuit Judge Walker. Circuit Judge Childs dissented.
Circuit Judge Walker filed a separate concurring opinion.
The ruling dissolves an administrative stay that had been in place since December 12, 2025. The district court has 21 days before the mandate issues and the order takes effect.
The panel also dismissed as moot Trump's emergency motion for a stay and the government's request for reassignment of the criminal contempt proceedings.
Trump's petition had included a request for reassignment, though the court's order does not detail the specific nature of the underlying contempt case.
The case is In re Donald Trump, No. 25-5452, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.