No, this hunt is anything but quiet — it is shrill and repugnant. It doesn't come with torches and pitchforks, but with screenshots, speculation, out-of-context names, and a digital furor that no longer seems to care about the truth. What is currently brewing around Katharine Boasberg — the daughter of a federal judge, whose only “mistake” appears to be her last name — has nothing to do with investigation. It is loud, invasive, and ruthless.
Her father is in the public spotlight, so all it takes is a few pixels, an old photo, a name. Suddenly, a daughter becomes a piece on the chessboard of suspicion. Not because she did anything — but simply because she exists.
What we are witnessing is a witch hunt — not against a public figure, but against a young woman caught in the crossfire because her name spans two generations. Because there is a public speech in which Judge James E. Boasberg thanks his wife Elizabeth, his son Daniel, and his two daughters, Katharine and Anne.
And that is enough. The fog of half-truths and insinuations begins to spread online. Her identity is guessed at, her biography invented. Every like, every LinkedIn connection, every trace of a photo becomes “evidence.” It is the logic of suspicion for those who don’t need proof — only a target.
And yet, the facts are clear: Katharine Boasberg does work with “Partners for Justice,” an organization that provides legal assistance to people who cannot afford their own defense — most often in criminal cases. But there is no indication whatsoever that she has defended members of gangs such as “Tren de Aragua” or “MS-13.” These are baseless claims that reveal more about the motivations of the accusers than they do about reality.
The accusation that the organization is “pro-illegal” also does not stand up to scrutiny. “Partners for Justice” is not a political group, but a legal aid NGO focused on improving access to justice, especially in overwhelmed court systems. The term “pro-illegal” is a polemical smear — not a legitimate critique.
As for funding: there is no public evidence that “Partners for Justice” receives direct support from USAID. If any funding exists, it may come indirectly through justice reform programs — but that remains speculative.
This attack is not just about her. It is an attack on the idea that people can be protected from public scrutiny if they themselves are not public figures. That not every name mentioned in a debate has to become a target.
In an age when discourse is faster, louder, and more merciless than ever, we need those who resist it — with integrity, with facts, with humanity.
And we must remember: not even the bravest judge can protect what we, as a society, give away — when we no longer recognize the line between critique and crusade.
Donald Trump has fueled this kind of dynamic for years — just think back to January 6, 2021, when words became weapons and rhetoric turned into reality. Even now, he does not stay silent. With every post, he pours more fuel into the fire of MAGA outrage.
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