A committee appointed by the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans has stripped a U.S. District Judge of her docket. The committee was to meet with Judge Ada Brown in September to discuss the allegations against her. But, Judge Brown did not appear for the meeting. She also made public certain documents that had been confidential. Those documents concerned the allegations against her. So, the Fifth Circuit has gone public with the allegations against Judge Brown.
Judge Brown has been accused of “mishandling” her docket and of treating other judges and court staff in a “demonstrably egregious and hostile manner.” The committee investigating her conduct’s found a reasonable basis on which to believe Judge Brown suffers from a mental conduction that impedes her ability to handle the responsibilities of her office.
Judge Brown was appointed by Pres. Trump in 2019. She faces one allegation of misconduct submitted by an attorney who appeared in front of her and a second allegation submitted by Chief Judge Jennifer Elrod of the Fifth Circuit. Judge Brown has been accused of making racial insults toward other judges and court staff. The Judge has sent copious and bizarre emails to to court staff and judges in the middle of the night. She has announced her intent to resign and then rescinded that intent twice since June, 2026.
She has also recused herself from 40 cases since June 1, 2026. She has effectively abandoned her job, said the committee. See ABA Bar Journal report here for more information.