Justice Department files judicial misconduct complaint against federal judges in Minnesota
Updated on: September 30, 2026 / 3:04 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- The Justice Department filed a judicial misconduct complaint against federal district judges in Minnesota.
- The complaint was prompted by judges speaking with The New York Times about concerns over the government's immigration enforcement practices.
- Judges Patrick Schiltz and John Tunheim are specifically named in the complaint, accused of violating the Code of Judicial Conduct.
- The Justice Department alleges the judges' comments were "overly political" and a "grave threat to the rule of law."
- The complaint requests that Judges Schiltz and Tunheim recuse themselves from matters involving the Department of Homeland Security.
- A separate indictment was announced against 10 noncitizens for allegedly casting unlawful votes in prior elections.
- Judge Schiltz stated he was acting within ethical rules by speaking to the Times about "core judicial matters."
- The Trump administration's Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota led to clashes and criticism of immigration enforcement tactics.