James Percival Faces Ethics Complaint from 128 Judges Over 'Worst of the Worst' Social Media List
DHS General Counsel James Percival has been accused of professional misconduct by a group of 128 former state and federal judges. The ethics complaint, filed with the Florida Bar, alleges that Percival’s social media posts naming the "worst of the worst" judges who ruled against the administration violated professional conduct rules. Critics argue that Percival’s list, which features judges like Allison Burroughs and Matthew Kennelly, risks inciting violence against the judiciary. Judge Esther Salas, whose son was killed by a disgruntled lawyer, urged political leaders to tone down their rhetoric. While the administration defended the posts as a factual review of judicial decisions, Percival doubled down, describing the judges as engaging in "naked politics" cloaked in legalese. The complaint highlights a growing climate of threats against federal judges, with the U.S. Marshals Service reporting 415 threats as of August 17. Despite the backlash, Percival remains supported by the administration, which has frequently criticized activist judges who rule against its goals.