DHS counsel faces ethics complaint for public attacks on judges

A top DHS official, James Percival, used his official social media to attack sitting district judges who ruled against the Trump administration, labeling them the “Worst of the Worst” and accusing them of “judicial sabotage.” Nearly 130 former judges and two watchdog groups filed a Florida Bar ethics complaint seeking an investigation for potential professional-conduct violations. Ethics experts say the remarks breach rules restricting disparagement of judges and could undermine judicial credibility and public trust, a concern magnified by rising threats to judges (415 threats in 2026 through Aug. 17). Percival has not commented beyond a DHS post referencing a related award nomination; the Florida Bar’s investigation status remains unclear.