Ethics
128 retired jurists file ethics grievance over DHS lawyer’s ‘assaults’ through social media on 4 sitting judges
James Percival, the final counsel for the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety, is now dealing with an ethics grievance over his social media posts concerning the “worst of the worst” judges. (Photograph from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
The final counsel for the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety is now dealing with an ethics grievance over his social media posts concerning the “worst of the worst” judges.
In a complaint filed with the Florida Bar on Tuesday, 128 retired federal and state judges, the Democracy Defenders Fund and the Attorneys Defending American Democracy allege that normal counsel James Percival’s posts “not solely represent severe skilled misconduct, however they threaten the rule of legislation and improve the danger of violence in opposition to judges.”
Particularly, they allege that Percival violated Florida Rule of Skilled Conduct 4-8.2(a), which bars attorneys from impugning the {qualifications} and integrity of judges or different officers.
“The posts have been assaults on the characters of 4 sitting judges, primarily based on mischaracterizations of the underlying instances and with out concern for the repercussions of these statements,” based on the grievance. “Nothing exempts federal officers who’re licensed by the state of Florida from the Guidelines of Skilled Conduct. Nor do the foundations present for an excuse from investigating federal officers like Mr. Percival.”
On July 23, Percival revealed an inventory known as the “Worst of the Worst, District Choose Version” on his official X social media web page, previously often known as Twitter. In response to the grievance, this is identical label that the DHS makes use of for a sequence highlighting immigrants it has deported.
Choose Matthew Kennelly of the Northern District of Illinois, Choose Allison Burroughs of the District of Massachusetts, Choose Paula Xinis of the District of Maryland and Choose Hernán Vera of the Central District of California have been included within the record. Percival “continued to assault different judges” in separate posts later, the grievance additionally stated.
A spokesperson for the DHS on Wednesday advised Bloomberg Law, which has further protection, that Percival’s posts have been “nothing greater than a factual evaluate of judicial choices and their real-world penalties.”
See additionally:
Judges urge Department of Homeland Security lawyer to remove social media posts targeting judiciary
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