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Minnesota federal judges judicial controversy

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-30 22:24 UTC → 2026-09-30 23:48 UTC · added removed

Seven federal judges from the District of Minnesota, including Republican-appointed Judge Patrick J. Schiltz, expressed 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. Judge Nancy E. Brasel emphasized the necessity of protecting judicial independence, stating, “Due process is not a game of keep-away.” Following these public comments, the Article III Project filed formal judicial misconduct complaints against Judges Patrick Schiltz and John Tunheim, alleging their statements may violate the Code of Conduct for United States Judges by calling into question their impartiality. In a significant escalation, the U.S. Department of Justice has now filed a judicial misconduct complaint against nearly all active federal district judges in Minnesota with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Attorney General Todd Blanche characterized the judges' media remarks as “openly political” and an “egregious” violation of ethical duties, alleging they demonstrated an “obvious bias” against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DOJ is requesting the appointment of a special committee to investigate the conduct and is demanding that the judges recuse themselves from all current and future cases involving the DHS. Judge Schiltz has defended his actions, stating he was “acting well within the ethical rules” that allow judges to advocate for judicial independence and the rule of law. He previously accused the government of failing to comply with nearly 100 court orders during the immigration crackdown, known as Operation Metro Surge. A spokesperson for the Minnesota federal court system noted that legal experts found the judges' conduct to be within ethical guidelines.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-30 23:48 UTC Minnesota federal judges judicial controversy
  2. 2026-09-30 22:24 UTC Minnesota federal judges judicial controversy
  3. 2026-09-30 20:54 UTC Minnesota federal judges judicial controversy
  4. 2026-09-20 00:23 UTC Minnesota federal judges judicial controversy

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