DOJ files misconduct complaint against Minnesota judges over immigration interviews

The US Justice Department on Wednesday filed a judicial misconduct complaint against judges in Minnesota who gave interviews to the New York Times about the immigration surge there, alleging it was unethical and partisan, Reuters reported. In September, the judges told the Times that the Trump administration had a “disregard for court orders” and its actions threatened the rule of law. Two did so on the record.

The complaint called the judges’ conduct “particularly egregious.” Attorney General Todd Blanche called the fact that the judges spoke to the media a “clear violation of their ethical duties” and criticised them for commenting on pending cases. He also asked the judges to recuse themselves from any case involving the Department of Homeland Security, alleging bias against the administration.

“As legal-ethics experts have confirmed, our judges were acting well within the ethical rules that apply to federal judges in speaking to the New York Times,” Rebecca Parks, a spokesperson for the judges, said.