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DOJ files judicial misconduct complaint against Minnesota judges

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 10:31 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Blanche Files Complaint

U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche filed a judicial misconduct complaint against Minnesota federal judges.
The Department of Justice alleges the judges made partisan, unethical comments to The New York Times about an immigration surge.
The complaint targets Judges Patrick J. Schiltz, John R. Tunheim and other unnamed District of Minnesota judges.
It asks the judges to recuse from any case involving the Department of Homeland Security.
The filing requests the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to investigate the alleged misconduct.

Summary

Organizers Stage Shutdown

Organizers staged a “national shutdown” protest against ICE in Minneapolis on Jan. 30 2026.
Organizers urged a halt to immigration enforcement after U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration surge.
Hundreds gathered outside the federal courthouse chanting slogans demanding rule-of-law protection.
Protesters displayed signs linking ICE’s alleged court-order violations to broader democratic concerns.
The demonstration coincided with the DOJ filing a judicial misconduct complaint thereby amplifying tensions.

History

Historical Context

After the House Judiciary Committee impeached Judge Alcee Hastings in 1988 and the Senate convicted him on Oct 20 1989—by a 69-26 vote after a 413-3 impeachment vote—he became the sixth federal judge removed by Congress. That precedent informs today’s DOJ complaint against Minnesota judges Patrick J. Schiltz and John R. Tunheim, reviving congressional scrutiny of judicial bias.

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Blanche Files Complaint

U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche filed a judicial misconduct complaint against Minnesota federal judges.
The Department of Justice alleges the judges made partisan, unethical comments to The New York Times about an immigration surge.
The complaint targets Judges Patrick J. Schiltz, John R. Tunheim and other unnamed District of Minnesota judges.
It asks the judges to recuse from any case involving the Department of Homeland Security.
The filing requests the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to investigate the alleged misconduct.

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