NEW: Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley today asks Chief Justice John Roberts to address public comments made to the NYT by Judge Patrick Schiltz and 6 other judges last week related to immigration enforcement.
— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) September 24, 2026
Grassley:
"More than half a dozen judges in Minnesota…
Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley today asks Chief Justice John Roberts to address public comments made to the NYT by Judge Patrick Schiltz and 6 other judges last week related to immigration enforcement.
Grassley:
"More than half a dozen judges in Minnesota provided comments for an article about immigration enforcement. This included a 90-minute interview given by one judge.
One judge criticized the Trump administration and the Justice Department’s efforts as a 'grave threat to the rule of law.'
In another instance, a judge characterized the Justice Department’s actions as resulting from 'incompetence.'
These statements are unacceptable.
When judges publicly criticize government officials...it undermines public confidence in the courts. And it destroys the perception of impartiality upon which the justice system relies.
Make no mistake, all Americans are entitled to disagree with government officials. That includes judges too. But with great power comes great responsibility.
Judges wield the power of a co-equal branch of government – to faithfully and impartially uphold the Constitution. With that comes the responsibility to preserve the integrity of the judiciary.
Federal judges should be issuing opinions and orders in accordance with the law, not giving quotes based on their personal views to the New York Times.
I hope the Chief Justice addresses this issue. My oversight will continue."
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