DHS General Counsel James Percival has accused a small group of federal district judges of obstructing key portions of President Donald Trump's immigration agenda, calling them the 'worst of the worst' and alleging they engage in 'naked political activism.' Percival has begun posting on X (formerly Twitter) identifying these judges, claiming they act in 'open defiance' of the Supreme Court. Critics argue the campaign improperly targets members of the judiciary.
Percival told Fox News Digital the effort is intended to educate the public, not intimidate judges, and highlights what he described as a handful of repeat offenders. He stressed that the federal judiciary does not face a systemic problem of defiance but noted that activist plaintiffs often engage in 'forum shopping' to secure favorable rulings.
In one case, Biden-appointed Judge Brian Murphy in Boston issued a 2025 order limiting the federal government's ability to deport illegal immigrants to receptive 'third countries.' The Supreme Court later intervened to overturn the order.