'The Trouble With Judges' by Steve

Attorney and commentator Andrew F. Branca (@TheBrancaShow), who provides pro-America, pro-Constitution, pro-Western civilization political and legal analysis, has said “One of the many ways the US immigration system has become corrupted is that our immigration judges are drawn from the ranks of immigration lawyers, who are ADVOCATES for third-world migrant clients.”

In his X posted on December 18, 2025, raising concerns about several lifetime-appointed Article III federal judges who are naturalized U.S. citizens born outside the country.

Branca argues that these judges, all appointed by Democratic presidents (Barack Obama or Joe Biden), lack full allegiance to American values and are disproportionately concentrated in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (D.C. Circuit). He highlights their involvement in what he calls "lawfare" against President-elect Donald Trump, portraying it as an assault on the democratic will of the American people.

Branca lists five specific judges, emphasizing their foreign birthplaces and appointments:
Mr. Branca stresses that no Republican president has ever appointed a non-natural-born citizen to the federal bench, implying a partisan pattern. He points out that some of these judges hold dual citizenship, which he sees as evidence of divided loyalties.

Most alarmingly, he notes that the D.C. Circuit, with only 15 judges (representing just 2% of all federal district judges), employs all five of these naturalized judges—making up one-third of its bench. Yet, this court has handled 30% of legal actions against Trump, including temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions.

Branca questions the integrity of these judges' naturalization processes, suggesting a thorough re-examination of their visas, green cards, and citizenship applications for potential fraud or deception. He implies their foreign backgrounds may influence their rulings, eroding American sovereignty and judicial impartiality.

The federal judge overseeing the 15 judges of the D.C. Circuit is Chief Judge James E. Boasberg. Himself under administrative scrutiny judicial in nature, stemming from controversies over his rulings in cases involving the Trump administration's immigration policies, past handling of FISA warrants, and alleged involvement in investigations related to January 6 and Trump associates.

In July 2025, the Department of Justice (under Attorney General Pam Bondi) filed a formal misconduct complaint against Boasberg. It accused him of making "improper public comments" about President Trump and his administration during a private Judicial Conference meeting in March 2025, allegedly undermining judicial impartiality and public confidence in the judiciary. The complaint sought investigation, potential reprimand, case reassignment, and possible referral for further discipline (including impeachment consideration).

Multiple Republican members of Congress have introduced resolutions to impeach or remove Boasberg with H.Res. 229 and H.Res. 270 (early 2025): Alleged interference with presidential prerogatives and failure to maintain "good behavior" under Article III, primarily over rulings blocking aspects of Trump administration deportation policies under the Alien Enemies Act.

Away from the bench, Katharine Boasberg (one of his twin daughters), works for a nonprofit organization called Partners for Justice (PFJ). She is employed as a "capacity building associate," a role involving coordinating grant activities, ensuring compliance, and supporting programs to strengthen public defender offices and provide support services in criminal defense cases.

This connection became a point of controversy in early 2025 amid Judge Boasberg's rulings on Trump administration deportation policies, with critics alleging a potential conflict of interest due to the nonprofit's pro-immigrant stance, opposition to certain immigration enforcement laws (e.g., the Laken Riley Act), and receipt of significant government funding (over $3.3 million in grants in 2023, about half its revenue).

Partners for Justice (PFJ), a nonprofit focused on supporting public defender offices and holistic defense (including social services for defendants, some of whom may be immigrants). PFJ's founder, Emily Galvin-Almanza, has publicly opposed certain Trump-era immigration policies, such as the Laken Riley Act (calling it "horrible" and "cruel") and praised Judge Boasberg's 2025 rulings blocking deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.

The same day as Branca’s post, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was convicted by a federal jury in Milwaukee of one felony count of obstructing or impeding an official proceeding before a U.S. department or agency (related to federal immigration enforcement) for helping illegal immigrants evade ICE arrest.
Dugan, a judge since 2016, had been suspended from duties by the Wisconsin Supreme Court pending the case. The felony conviction likely disqualifies her from holding judicial office under the Wisconsin Constitution.

The case drew national attention as part of broader tensions over immigration enforcement in courthouses during the Trump administration's policies. Some viewed it as a necessary accountability measure, while others raised concerns about judicial independence.

Overall, Branca's critique of judicial appointments, blending factual details on judges' backgrounds with pointed political commentary on immigration, citizenship, and perceived threats to U.S. institutions makes the compelling case the D.C. Circuit, like the Milwaukee County Circuit are compromised by foreign interest above American justice.

Editorial comments expressed in this column are the sole opinion of the writer.