A stunning scene unfolded in federal court this week, revealing a deep crisis within the Justice Department. A government attorney, overwhelmed and exhausted, made a desperate plea to the judge – a plea to be held in contempt of court.
US District Judge Jerry Blackwell, appointed by President Biden, convened a hearing to address a troubling pattern: repeated disregard for his court orders regarding immigration cases. He demanded answers as to why detainees were being held beyond legally mandated release times.
Julie Le, the DOJ attorney representing the government, responded with a startling admission. She openly confessed to the judge that the system was failing, and her office was utterly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of cases stemming from a recent immigration operation.
“I wish you would just hold me in contempt of court so I can get 24 hours of sleep,” Le stated, her voice laced with exhaustion and frustration. The courtroom fell silent as she laid bare the immense pressure and unsustainable workload she and her colleagues were facing.
The judge had called the hearing after observing a consistent failure to comply with his orders in five separate Habeas cases. Detainees were being unconstitutionally held for days, their rights ignored, while the government struggled to process the legal challenges.
Le explained that government lawyers were simply unable to keep pace with the demands of the situation. The operation, known as Metro Surge, had generated a flood of legal challenges, stretching resources to the breaking point.
Visibly emotional, Le emphasized her commitment to ensuring ICE compliance with court orders, but admitted it felt like a constant battle. Implementing even basic procedures required relentless effort from an already depleted office.
Her words painted a stark picture of a system on the verge of collapse, where dedicated professionals are pushed to their limits, and the fundamental rights of individuals hang in the balance. The incident raises serious questions about the capacity of the government to manage its immigration policies effectively and justly.
The attorney’s desperate plea wasn’t about avoiding responsibility, but about highlighting a systemic failure. It was a raw, unfiltered cry for help from within the very machinery of justice.
