By Trendsetter Tribune 
In an extraordinary scene in a St. Paul federal courtroom on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attorney reached a breaking point while testifying about the government’s failure to comply with judicial release orders. Julie Le, a DHS lawyer detailed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, told U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell that her job and the current legal system “suck,” even suggesting she would welcome being held in contempt if it meant getting “a full 24 hours of sleep.”
The testimony provided a rare, unvarnished look at the internal chaos of Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration’s large-scale immigration enforcement campaign in Minnesota.
The Breakdown: “Pulling Teeth” to Follow the Law
Judge Blackwell called the hearing after the government repeatedly ignored mandates to release detainees who were found to be lawfully present in the country.
- The Admission: Le described the process of getting ICE to respond to court orders as “pulling teeth.” She revealed that she had received no proper training for the detail and was working around the clock to manage a “tidal wave” of habeas corpus petitions.
- Constitutional Injuries: Blackwell noted that the administration had violated or missed deadlines for nearly 100 court orders in 2026 alone. He emphasized that these were not technicalities but “constitutional injuries” against individuals who, in many cases, should never have been arrested.
- Resignation Pending: Le admitted she had already tried to resign, but was told no replacement could be found. She warned the court that if the system isn’t fixed, she is “going to walk out.”
Context: Operation Metro Surge and the Minneapolis Drawdown
The courtroom drama unfolded just as White House Border Czar Tom Homan announced a major tactical shift in the Twin Cities.
- 700 Agents Withdrawn: On Wednesday, February 4, Homan announced that 700 federal agents would be withdrawn from Minnesota immediately. However, approximately 2,000 agents remain, a number local leaders like Mayor Jacob Frey argue is still far too high.
- The “Softer Touch”: President Trump recently suggested a “softer touch” might be needed in Minneapolis following the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in January, which sparked widespread civil unrest and legal challenges from suburban mayors.
- Conditional Drawdown: Homan stated that a full withdrawal is contingent on local law enforcement cooperation—specifically, county jails notifying ICE before releasing undocumented inmates—and a decrease in “hateful rhetoric” from protesters.
Consequences of the Outburst
As of Wednesday afternoon, an official confirmed that Julie Le is no longer detailed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Her blunt testimony has become a rallying cry for critics of the administration’s enforcement tactics, who argue that the sheer volume of arrests has broken the federal government’s ability to provide due process.
“Having what you feel are too many detainees… is not a defense to continued detention. If anything, it ought to be a warning sign.” — Judge Jerry Blackwell, Feb 3, 2026.