DHS attorney faces Florida Bar complaint over attacks on judges

A group of more than 130 former judges has filed a formal complaint with the Florida Bar against James Percival, the general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The complaint alleges that Percival violated professional conduct rules by making unfounded attacks on the integrity of federal jurists via social media.

The allegations center on Percival’s “Worst of the Worst” list, in which he criticized judges who issued rulings unfavorable to the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The former judges claim Percival’s comments—which included accusations of “judicial sabotage,” “naked politics,” and issuing “crazy opinions”—lack a sound basis in fact and mischaracterize judicial orders.

The complaint specifically highlights posts attacking four federal judges and two others whom Percival accused of disregarding a Supreme Court ruling regarding Temporary Protected Status for migrants. The Florida Bar prohibits licensed attorneys from making statements concerning the qualifications or integrity of a judge that they know to be false or made with reckless disregard for the truth.