Judges say ICE, DOJ leaders are putting rank-and-file lawyers in 'an impossible position'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Politico

03/10/2026 05:00 PM EDT Updated: 03/10/2026 05:45 PM EDT


Federal judges livid over missed deadlines and outright defiance of their orders in a sea of immigration cases are training their ire on the Justice Department’s political leadership, going out of their way to acknowledge that the rank-and-file lawyers arguing in front of them are sometimes powerless to change the administration’s behavior.

Judges in several states have recently taken pains to separate these attorneys from their bosses in Washington — and from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which they see as increasingly responsible, and unremorseful, for the rampant violations amid President Donald Trump’s mass deportation push.

The dynamic has crystallized amid a deluge of emergency lawsuits filed by ICE detainees, which have overwhelmed court dockets and frustrated judges — who have overwhelmingly rejected ICE’s detention practices as illegal.

The flood has, in turn, put DOJ’s line attorneys in uncomfortable spots. They’re being thrust into courtrooms without specifics, often asked to defend ICE’s detentions without details and sometimes without being able to reach their ICE counterparts to get information. They’ve missed deadlines and been scolded by judges for offering boilerplate arguments. Some DOJ attorneys have resigned or been fired, further straining understaffed offices.
It’s all coming to a boil in courtrooms across the country.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/10/court-orders-ice-justice-department-00821241

[johnnyfins]

1. This admin/DOJ leaders are deliberately

Trying to overwhelm/break the system. It's one of many things that will need to be rebuilt after these locusts are out of power.

[RecoveringJournalist]

2. So Be It

This is why we MUST win the midterms. After we win, we need to begin enforcement actions. If physical force is necessary, so be it.

[durablend]

3. Again "look forward not backward" isn't the answer I want to hear from our leaders.

They can fuck right off with that

[DinahMoeHum]

5. I want to hear the word "PUNISHMENT"

Not "justice"
Not "vengeance"
Not "reconciliation"
Not "accountability"
Not "look forward not backward"

PUNISHMENT

[Joinfortmill]

4. QUIT

[AverageOldGuy]

6. I guess none of them were taught in law school:

Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas.

[Wonder Why]

7. The rank-and-file lawyers lawyers are NOT powerless. They are weasels who value their paychecks above their

morals and ethics. Damn you, cowards! Refuse to submit the charges. Tell the judges the truth about what you know! Resign and go public.

You represent the People of the United States, not the DoJ, not its criminal leadership, not the president.

You swore an oath. Live by it or get out! Others have done so. They have made the sacrifice. You're not going to be executed for what you do. Show some backbone. Show some love for your country. Show some respect for the Constitution. Show that you care for America and its ideals.

No? Then self deport. You don't deserve to be here, either because you have sold your soul as much as everone above you.

While you are at it, leave your family. They don't deserve someone like you as a sister, brother, daughter, son, spouse or child.

[Ray Bruns]

8. There is a solution.

[flvegan]

9. DOJ attorneys should keep in mind that these are their bar licenses, and

their next employer, which they will likely have, may not smile upon grievances and disciplinary activity on their records. I'd argue they also aren't in any "impossible position" so to speak. Counsel can know their case, move for a continuance or dismiss the case/charges altogether. If for some reason, they're doing batch trials, then I wish those DOJ kids good luck lol.