No, the law is not such just because they say. The law is or is not on its written standing. I was just following orders is too much like I was just ordering followers.
Yes it is, unless the Supreme Court or the en banc Fourth Circuit overturns. That's how Judicial Review works -- Congress writes the law, the President enforces them and the Courts interpret them. If you don't like how the Courts are interpreting law (and I don't either) push the President and Congress to confirm better judges. But refusing to obey court orders DOES violate the law and the whole principle of Constitutional government.