Federal Judges Question Trust in Department of Justice as the administration faces scrutiny for legal errors and political bias
Federal judges across the country are increasingly questioning the reliability of Department of Justice lawyers, challenging the long-standing "presumption of regularity" that assumes government officials act in good faith. Under the administration, judges have criticized prosecutors for withholding information, making factual errors, and using the justice system to pressure political opponents. In several cases, judges have rebuked the administration for "unlawful" and "unethical" tactics, such as filing statements generated by artificial intelligence that referenced nonexistent case law. For example, Mary McElroy, a President Trump-appointed judge, criticized the DOJ for misrepresenting facts in a hospital investigation. Meanwhile, the administration has faced criticism for its handling of immigration and mass deportation efforts. While the administration maintains that its attorneys are dedicated public servants, internal watchdog offices like the Office of Professional Responsibility have seen significant staff cuts. Despite receiving a record number of misconduct complaints, the OPR has opened fewer new investigations than at any point in the last two decades, suggesting a potential shift toward prioritizing political interests over independent oversight.