The story has been breaking and been hotly debated for days. In Kentucky’s Rowan County, county clerk Kim Davis has been steadfastly refusing to issue marriage licenses to any gay or lesbian couple.

Attorneys for the couples had only asked U.S. District Judge David Bunning to pressure Davis with fines for contempt of court.

Bunning reasoned Thursday that Davis’ supporters are likely to step in with fundraising efforts, leaving fines ineffective and allowing her to continue to defying the preliminary injunction he issued against her in August.

Instead, he ordered U.S. Marshals to take her into custody until she agrees to issue licenses, and he indicated that he has no plans for releasing her on Friday because of concerns that she would return to the office and reestablish the policy.