The Headlines The Mass Purge of Immigration Judges, and Melania Trump’s Surprise Epstein Remarks
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Apr 10, 2026 A deep dive into a sweeping purge of immigration judges and how it sped up deportations. Coverage of diplomatic tensions as U.S. negotiators confront Iran and shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz. Reports from Lebanon after devastating Israeli strikes. A surprising denial from Melania Trump about links to Jeffrey Epstein. An investigation into how the housing slump is crushing furniture retailers.
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Goodbye Parties Left Decorations Up
- Courthouse staff held so many farewell parties for removed judges that decorations just stayed up.
- That everyday scene illustrated a broader wave of firings and the personal impact on courthouse communities.
Rapid Purge Reshaped Immigration Courts
- The Trump administration rapidly reshaped immigration courts by firing many immigration judges to push enforcement goals.
- Judges reported systematic pressure, warnings about "bias in favor of aliens," record-low asylum grants and record-high deportation orders.
Judge Turnover Had Fast Tangible Consequences
- The personnel changes produced measurable outcomes: asylum approvals fell and deportation orders rose to historic levels.
- Consequences included more people detained and many abandoning cases to accept removal rather than fight from jail.