Ex-Judge Sues AG Pam Bondi and the DOJ

The wrongful-termination lawsuit seeks full reinstatement as a U.S. immigration judge.

A former federal immigration judge, Tania Nemer, has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice (DOJ), alleging her abrupt firing was due to political discrimination based on her sex, national origin, and political affiliation. 

Details of the Lawsuit

• Plaintiff: Tania Nemer, who served as an immigration judge in the Cleveland Immigration Court within the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
• Defendants: Attorney General Pam Bondi (in her official capacity) and the U.S. Department of Justice.
• Date Filed: The complaint was filed on Monday, December 1, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
• Allegations: Nemer claims she was a high-performing judge, described internally as the "perfect candidate," but was fired without cause on February 5, 2025, just 15 days after President Trump returned to office and Bondi took control of the department. She alleges the firing was unlawful discrimination and a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the First Amendment.
• DOJ's Position: The DOJ has claimed Nemer was removed by the Acting Attorney General under the broad authority of Article II of the U.S. Constitution, which they argue allows the president to remove federal workers in the executive branch without the usual anti-discrimination protections.
• Relief Sought: Nemer is seeking reinstatement to her position and back pay. 

Broader Implications

Nemer's lawsuit is one of several recent legal challenges by fired DOJ employees that could test the limits of presidential power over the federal workforce and civil rights protections. The case has drawn attention from Senate Democrats who argue that politicizing the immigration bench undermines due process. Other lawsuits have been filed by former DOJ officials who worked on January 6th cases, also alleging wrongful termination and political retaliation by the Bondi-led DOJ. 

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