DHS lawyer focuses blame on Biden judge after illegal immigrant release controversy

Published May 13, 2026 4:15pm ET | Updated May 13, 2026 4:15pm ET



A top Department of Homeland Security lawyer in the Trump administration is renewing criticism of a Rhode Island federal judge after a courtroom clash spiraled into allegations of government misconduct and judicial overreach last week.

In a sharply worded op-ed published Tuesday in the Federalist, DHS General Counsel James Percival accused U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose of “judicial misconduct” and argued that the fallout surrounding the temporary release of Dominican national Bryan Rafael Gomez was “entirely of Judge DuBose’s own making.”

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.