News Releases
October 12, 2026: Minnesota bar associations express concern over DOJ misconduct complaints against federal judges, emphasize the importance of judicial independence.
From the Minnesota State Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association, Ramsey County Bar Association, and the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association:
As organizations dedicated to promoting access to justice and the rule of law, Minnesota’s county, state, and federal bar associations are deeply concerned by the Department of Justice’s decision to file a judicial misconduct complaint against members of Minnesota’s federal bench based on their public comments about the extraordinary challenges faced by the federal courts during Operation Metro Surge.
An independent judiciary is fundamental to the rule of law. Judges must be free to decide cases, enforce their orders, and protect the integrity of the judicial process without fear of retaliation or intimidation by parties appearing before them, particularly the government.
The comments at issue addressed the administration of the courts, compliance with judicial orders, and the importance of the rule of law and judicial independence. Earlier this year, the federal judiciary’s Committee on Codes of Conduct specifically recognized that federal judges may speak and write on “core judiciary matters such as advocacy for the rule of law and judicial independence.” The ability of judges to speak about threats to the rule of law and the independence of the judicial branch is itself critical to maintaining public confidence in our system of justice.
Reasonable people may disagree with judicial decisions, and established processes exist to challenge those decisions through appeals and other appropriate legal proceedings. But pursuing disciplinary action against judges for speaking about threats to the functioning and independence of the courts—especially when those efforts come from a branch of the federal government with the power to investigate and prosecute—risk undermining public confidence in our system of justice and chilling judges from speaking on matters of concern regarding the judiciary.
Throughout the significant challenges Minnesota has faced over the past year, our federal judges have carried out their constitutional responsibilities under intense scrutiny in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Our association remains committed to supporting an independent judiciary, respect for court orders, and the principle that no person or institution is above the law.
These principles are not partisan. They are essential to our constitutional system and to the fair administration of justice.
NOTE: Judicial officers serving in leadership of any of these organizations did not participate in the vote to approve this statement.