Wilbur Ross's Census Shutdown Is Against the Rule of Law

Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross appears to be openly flouting the law in connection with the census — again. This is the same cabinet official who was slapped down by the Supreme Court for violating proper legal procedure in trying to introduce a citizenship question to the census. Now, Ross has announced his intent to end the census counting early, on October 5, even though a federal district judge ordered him last week to let the counting continue until the scheduled end date of October 31.

If this sounds crazy, that’s because it is. It’s not normal for executive branch officials to violate court orders directed explicitly at them. Violating a federal judge’s order undermines the rule of law. It is ordinarily met with sanctions that can range from large fines to imprisonment. The judge will now have to decide what steps are appropriate, and fast.