‘Everyone has a breaking point’: the immigration judges at the sharp end of Trump’s deportation drive

Judges have been fired or taken buyouts, and those remaining say they toe the government line

David Koelsch, a former immigration judge based in Maryland, was in Minneapolis visiting his mother and sister the day Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents. He drove to Nicollet Avenue, parked a few blocks away, and walked toward the scene.

“I didn’t go there to protest. I didn’t bring a sign. I didn’t bring anything. I just went to stand and bear witness,” Koelsch said.