Federal Prosecutor Fired After Criticizing Job Performance

A federal prosecutor in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who was involved in a case with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was reportedly dismissed from her position after reportedly stating to a judge that she “sucks at her job.”

Julie Lee, assigned to the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office by the Justice Department, was let go following her alleged comments, according to an official familiar with the situation. She is listed as an attorney for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as noted in documents from the agency.

Lee is said to have made her remarks during a hearing related to several immigration cases. “What do you want me to do? The system sucks. This job sucks. And I’m doing everything I can to give you what you need,” she reportedly said.

Furthermore, Lee told U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell that she wanted a man held in contempt so he could “get a full 24 hours of sleep.” Reports indicate that Lee had received at least 88 cases within a month, according to documents reviewed by the Associated Press.

During the proceedings, Judge Blackwell reminded Lee that the current caseload was not a valid excuse for ignoring court orders, expressing concern about federal immigration detainees being held days beyond their release dates. “And I hear your concerns about all the energy this is expending on the Department of Justice, and with all due respect, some of that is of your own creation by disobeying orders,” he said.

Lee acknowledged that she had previously served as an ICE attorney in immigration court but stated that she had “foolishly” volunteered for a detailed investigation in Minnesota. She claimed a lack of adequate training for the role and expressed a desire to resign but said she was unable to find a replacement.

In recent weeks, several attorneys have resigned from the U.S. attorney’s office, citing “ethical concerns,” as reported by sources familiar with the matter. Lee’s co-counsel, Anna H. Voss, was mentioned among those resigning.

This incident comes amid Operation Metro Surge, an initiative targeting illegal immigration in Minnesota, which has led to thousands of arrests since December. Tragically, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Preti lost their lives during a protest against federal immigration authorities in January.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed to the Daily Caller that Lee is still employed by the agency, stating that her conduct is “unprofessional and unbecoming” of an ICE attorney as it fails to represent the commitment expected in service of the U.S. government.

The Daily Caller also reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, but there was no immediate response.