DOJ Files Ethics Complaint Against Minnesota Judges Over NYT Interview
Attorney General Todd Blanche filed a judicial misconduct complaint against six of seven active federal judges in Minnesota, accusing them of violating ethics rules by speaking to the New York Times about the administration's immigration enforcement surge. The complaint, signed by Acting Deputy AG Trent McCotter and Associate AG Stan Woodward, demands that Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz and Judge John Tunheim recuse themselves from all Department of Homeland Security cases. While the DOJ claims the judges engaged in 'overtly political' commentary on pending matters, the judges and court officials argue their statements were protected advocacy for judicial independence under recent Judicial Conference guidance. The move marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration's conflict with the federal judiciary, following previous failed attempts to discipline judges in other districts.
