DOJ files misconduct complaint against Minnesota federal judges

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a judicial misconduct complaint against Minnesota federal judges over comments they made in interviews with The New York Times about immigration enforcement cases in the state. According to the complaint, the DOJ asked the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to require all seven active judges who spoke with the newspaper to recuse themselves from cases involving the Department of Homeland Security. The filing also asks the court to investigate what the department describes as improper and unethical conduct. The complaint specifically names Senior Judge Patrick Schiltz and Senior Judge John Tunheim. A spokesperson for the Minnesota federal court defended the judges, saying they were acting within the ethical rules that apply to federal judges when discussing broader issues such as judicial independence and the rule of law.