DOJ Files Misconduct Complaint Against Minnesota Federal Judges
Attorney General Todd Blanche accuses nearly the entire bench of partisan bias after judges criticized immigration enforcement.
KEY POINTS
- DOJ filed misconduct complaints against nearly all active Minnesota federal judges.
- Complaint cites judges' interviews criticizing Operation Metro Surge enforcement.
- Attorney General Blanche demands judges recuse from DHS cases.
- Judges accused DOJ of ignoring court orders during immigration surge.
- Eighth Circuit will review the ethics complaint.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed judicial misconduct complaints Wednesday against all but one of Minnesota's active federal judges. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the action, alleging the judges showed "overt political" bias in recent media interviews.
The complaint stems from a September 17 New York Times article where seven judges discussed Operation Metro Surge. They accused administration officials of ignoring court orders in dozens of cases during the winter immigration crackdown.
“The comments were "overtly political," violated judicial canons, and reflected "overt bias" against DHS.”
Blanche argued the judges' public comments violated judicial canons and reflected prejudice against the Department of Homeland Security. He urged the judges to recuse themselves from pending or future DHS litigation.
One judge immediately defended the interviews, stating they were "well within the ethical rules" for jurists to speak publicly. The complaint has been filed with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis.
The move escalates ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary. Chief Justice John Roberts recently warned that personal attacks on judges "have got to stop." Previous DOJ attempts to remove judges in Maryland failed.
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