US Justice Department accuses Minnesota federal judges of misconduct

The US Justice Department has filed a judicial misconduct complaint against nearly all federal district judges in Minnesota over comments they made about the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

The complaint follows a New York Times report in which six of seven judges who held active status during Operation Metro Surge discussed the government’s handling of immigration cases.

Attorney General Todd Blanche said Wednesday the department was seeking fair and impartial treatment in court.

"We have a right, just like every litigant in court, to have a judge that will be fair and impartial. We have no choice but to act," Blanche said.

The complaint specifically names Judges Patrick Schiltz and John Tunheim, along with other unnamed Minnesota district judges.

The Justice Department accused Schiltz and Tunheim of making improper comments about matters before the courts and asked the 8th Circuit to order them to recuse themselves from cases involving the Department of Homeland Security.

Schiltz rejected the allegations, saying he was "acting well within the ethical rules that apply to federal judges in speaking to the New York Times," according to CBS News.