In recent years, judges have repeatedly come under public scrutiny for taking critical positions on political and legal issues. This paper addresses the question of whether and under what conditions these highly controversial expressions of opinion justify the rejection of judges due to concerns about bias. It clarifies both the purpose and the constitutional basis of the right to reject judges, as well as the central conceptual features of the bias norms. Special attention is given to the relationship between procedural rejection rights and the duty of restraint according to Section 39 of the German Judiciary Act (DRiG). The rejection of judges from the Federal Constitutional Court is examined separately.