WASHINGTON (7News) — Given Thursday’s ruling by a California judge, David Super, a Georgetown University Law Center professor, said agencies will be held in contempt of court if they don’t comply with the court order.

“A number of agencies have disregarded court orders up to this point, and my suspicion is the courts are getting tired of that,” Super said. “There could be sanctions if they don’t comply.”

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Following the ruling, Super said an appeal is likely, but it must first go to a court of appeals.

Then, three judges will be chosen at random to consider the merits of what happened in the district court.

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“If they do that and don’t like the decision, then they could appeal to the Supreme Court,” Super said. “The Supreme Court doesn’t have to take their case, but on a matter of this importance, it probably would.”

Professor Super also believes the Trump administration has been disregarding civil service law. For instance, he said the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has taken several personnel actions, but DOGE has no authority to fire anyone.

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“If they think we don’t need as many people at the Department of Transportation, they are free to ask Congress to rescind that money; there is an expedited procedure,” he said. “It can’t be filibustered. They can do that but they haven’t done that so far or the way the law requires.”

Super believes probationary employees should return to work, but he said this is far from over.