Matthew E.P. Thornhill Removed

Michael Thornhill, a St. Charles County, Missouri Circuit Court judge, was removed from office by a unanimous Missouri Supreme Court ruling on December 29, 2025. The court found Thornhill "failed to maintain order and decorum in the courtroom, in his chambers, and in the courthouse" and failed to maintain the dignity appropriate to judicial office. On October 31, Thornhill wore an Elvis Presley wig into the courtroom, repeatedly made irrelevant references to Elvis and his song lyrics during court proceedings, asked litigants and witnesses if they wanted to be sworn in to Elvis music, and played Presley's music while entering the courtroom or conducting other court business.

Separately, the court found he made repeated political statements from the bench, including discussing candidates and ballot issues he personally supported. Thornhill had initially reached an agreement to resign following a six-month unpaid suspension and an 18-month return to the bench, but the Supreme Court called that arrangement "unusual" and ordered him to stop serving immediately instead.