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Susan K. DeClercq at her 2023 Senate Judiciary Committee nomination hearing

U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of Michigan

Hon. Susan K. DeClercq

Photo: U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee (public domain), via Wikimedia Commons

Bench Watch Brief · Profile in brief

Susan K. DeClercq is a federal district judge in Detroit, nominated by President Joe Biden and commissioned in 2023. Since May 2026, she has presided over the federal forced-labor case against David E. Taylor, leader of the Kingdom of God Global Church, and two church executives, after two other judges stepped aside. Before the bench, she spent 18 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Michigan, handling civil cases and civil rights enforcement.

Before the bench

Law clerk to Judge Avern L. Cohn, 1999–2001; private practice in Washington, D.C., 2001–2004; Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Michigan, 2004–2022, where she became chief of the Civil Rights Unit and later chief of the Civil Division; director and counsel for special investigations at Ford Motor Co., 2022–2023.

Highlights and issues

  1. Notable ruling

    Refuses to dismiss the forced-labor charges against David Taylor and two co-defendants

    She ruled that neither the First Amendment nor the Religious Freedom Restoration Act bars the prosecution. The charges have not been proven.

  2. Notable ruling

    Denies David Taylor's request to seal exhibits, saying a “victims” label alone isn't enough reason

  3. Notable ruling

    Assigned the Taylor case after two judges step aside

Cases we follow in this courtroom

  • Video · WDIV Local 4
    Criminal trialPretrial

    United States v. David E. Taylor et al.

    E.D. Mich. · No. No. 2:25-cr-20560

    Federal prosecutors say leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church used threats of damnation, physical punishment and other abuse to make members work unpaid in church call centers. David E. Taylor, Michelle Brannon and Kathleen Klein are charged and have pleaded not guilty. Nothing has been proven. On Nov. 9, 2026, the judge refused to dismiss the case, and trial is set for April 20, 2027.

    Updated November 14, 2026 · 4 min read

Sources