Federal Judge Melissa R. DuBose condemned the Department of Homeland Security for a "serious breakdown in ethical codes" after officials failed to inform her that Bryan Rafael Gomez, the man she released on bond, faced a murder warrant in the Dominican Republic. DHS publicly criticized the judge without disclosing this critical information, prompting the judge to consider sanctions.

The Trump administration officials apologized for withholding information about the overseas charge, claiming a "legitimate law enforcement reason" prevented disclosure. Kevin M. Bolan, who leads the civil division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for Rhode Island, expressed "very sorry and terribly embarrassed" during the hearing where the judge called it "a massive breach of this court's trust."

The Department of Homeland Security doubled down on its criticism, with Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis calling Judge DuBose an "activist judge" and claiming the released individual was a "wanted murderer." Federal court officials denounced DHS's statement as "inflammatory" and warned it "risks inciting threats against members of the judiciary," while the judge scheduled a hearing to reconsider Gomez's detention.