DOJ explored charging Minnesota judges, lawyers

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Thursday, July 17, 2025

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Exclusive: US considered charging Minnesota judges, lawyers in immigration crackdown, sources say

REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt/File Photo

The DOJ explored bringing criminal charges against Minnesota judges and defense lawyers who discussed requesting virtual court hearings to protect defendants from being arrested by federal immigration officers, according to five people familiar with the matter.

In February, FBI agents in Minneapolis opened a preliminary inquiry into whether local judges and defense attorneys obstructed immigration enforcement by requesting virtual hearings, and the concept was also pitched to law enforcement officials in Minneapolis and D.C., said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal DOJ deliberations.

Reuters could not determine whether the probe is ongoing. To date, no judge or lawyer in Minnesota has been charged over the episode.

Two of the people familiar with the discussions said FBI and DOJ leadership in D.C. supported the probe. A DOJ spokesperson declined to comment.

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