Minnesota federal judges warn of threat to rule of law

Seven federal judges from the District of Minnesota, including Republican-appointed Judge Patrick J. Schiltz, have expressed serious concerns regarding the Trump administration’s Department of Justice. In an interview with The New York Times, Judge Schiltz described the administration’s actions as a “grave threat to the rule of law,” citing a disregard for court orders that he believes puts the constitutional order at risk.

The judges reported that the Justice Department has placed immense pressure on the court, noting a massive influx of petitions from detainees and instances where federal immigration authorities allegedly violated nearly 100 orders in a single month. Judge Nancy E. Brasel, a Trump appointee, emphasized the importance of speaking out to protect judicial independence, stating, “Due process is not a game of keep-away.”

While the judges defended their right to address these issues, the reports have also raised questions regarding judicial ethics. A Department of Justice spokesperson suggested that judges making public comments on related matters should consider recusing themselves from pending cases.