DOJ Files Misconduct Complaint Against Most Minnesota Federal Judges
The Justice Department filed a judicial misconduct complaint with the 8th U.S. Circuit asking investigation and recusal for all but one Minnesota federal district judge on Sept. 30, 2026.[1]
The complaint specifically names Judges Patrick Schiltz and John Tunheim and asks the 8th Circuit to order them to recuse from Department of Homeland Security cases.[1] Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the filing at a Washington press conference and said Minnesota prosecutors had secured an indictment of ten noncitizens accused of unlawful voting in past elections.[1]
The complaint cites comments by Schiltz and Tunheim in a New York Times article about Operation Metro Surge as the basis for the recusal request and the broader probe.[1] DOJ asked the 8th Circuit to probe other Minnesota judges' conduct under the same complaint.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Sept. 30, 2026, DOJ filed a judicial misconduct complaint with the 8th Circuit against all but one Minnesota federal district judge
- The complaint names Judges Patrick Schiltz and John Tunheim and cites their comments in a New York Times article about Operation Metro Surge
- DOJ asks the 8th Circuit to order Schiltz and Tunheim to recuse from Department of Homeland Security cases and to investigate other Minnesota judges' conduct
- Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the complaint at a Washington press conference on Sept. 30, 2026
- Blanche also said Minnesota prosecutors obtained an indictment of 10 noncitizens for allegedly unlawful voting in past elections
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