The Department of Justice filed a complaint on September 30, 2026, against federal judges in Minnesota regarding their comments to the media about the increased pressure on their courthouse during the Trump administration's immigration enforcement surge. The complaint alleges that the seven judges, nominated by both Democratic and Republican presidents, violated judicial ethics by discussing their experiences with The New York Times during last winter's Operation Metro Surge, which resulted in thousands of arrests in the Twin Cities.
The complaint intensifies the ongoing conflict between the Department of Justice and the federal judiciary, which has blocked certain administration priorities and dismissed significant prosecutions. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the department is requesting the judges to recuse themselves from all cases involving the Department of Homeland Security, citing what he described as "obvious bias" in their remarks.
Judge Patrick Schiltz, one of the judges involved, previously accused the government of not complying with nearly 100 court orders and remarked that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is not above the law. Schiltz indicated that the situation in Minnesota's federal court last winter posed a serious threat to the rule of law.
A spokesperson for the Minnesota court stated that legal experts have confirmed the judges acted within ethical guidelines when speaking to the media. Schiltz also defended his comments, referencing an advisory opinion from the Committee on Codes of Conduct that allows federal judges to discuss matters related to judicial independence and the rule of law.
The complaint has been submitted to the chief judge of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which oversees federal judges in Minnesota. The Republican administration has criticized what it calls "activist judges" who are perceived to be obstructing the Trump agenda, despite some critical rulings coming from judges appointed by Republican presidents.