Following the decision not to pursue a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal immigration agent, at least six career prosecutors, primarily supervisors in the Civil Rights Division’s criminal section, announced their departure. The Justice Department shifted the investigation to focus on an assault on a federal officer rather than a civil rights violation, despite the prosecutors’ offering to investigate the shooting. This change in direction, coupled with broader frustrations within the division, influenced their decision to retire, including a prior incident where the division intervened in the sentencing of a former officer. The departures, which include the section’s chief, are part of a larger trend of personnel losses in the Civil Rights Division due to changes in mission and handling of cases.
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The Twin Cities of Minneapolis have been marked by tragedy, with two fatal encounters with law enforcement occurring six years apart in the same neighborhood. This working-class area, already traumatized by the killing of George Floyd, now grapples with the recent death of Renee Nicole Good, adding to residents’ anguish. Amidst concerns of increased unrest due to heavy-handed immigration enforcement, the community is responding with citizen-led patrols, aimed at monitoring and documenting ICE activity. These patrols are a testament to the community’s resilience in the face of fear, as they fight for their own safety and the safety of their neighbors.
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Senator Murkowski has stated that if the Department of Justice investigates Chair Powell based on cost overruns, Congress should investigate the Department of Justice to protect the Federal Reserve’s independence. Senator Tillis is blocking all Federal Reserve nominees until the Justice Department ends its investigation into Powell and other Fed officials. Tillis believes the Department of Justice’s credibility is now in question and will oppose any Fed nominees, including for the upcoming Chair vacancy, until the matter is resolved. The Senate Banking Committee’s current Republican majority gives Tillis significant power to stall nominations.
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Vance criticized a CNN headline for omitting the ICE officer’s prior near-fatal experience of being dragged by a car, implying this justified the officer’s actions. However, this argument ignores the established practice of assigning officers with a history of such trauma to desk duty to avoid further incidents. The situation highlights a pattern of officers, like Ross, using their weapons to threaten individuals who fail to comply with their commands, a pattern that ultimately resulted in the death of a civilian.
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In Minneapolis, federal agents, as part of a large-scale immigration enforcement operation, were seen ramming a home’s door and arresting a man, sparking protests. This operation is taking place amid heightened tensions following the fatal shooting of a woman by an immigration officer, prompting calls for state authorities to be included in the investigation. Local immigrant advocacy groups are advising residents on their rights, as the Department of Homeland Security stated that this is their largest enforcement operation ever. The Trump administration has defended the officer involved in the shooting, while the administration also plans to send additional federal agents to the area to protect immigration officers and continue enforcement.
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Following the killing of Renee Nicole Good by a federal agent in Minneapolis, videos have emerged showing escalating public outrage directed at immigration officers. These clips depict activists confronting ICE agents, some using bear spray, while being told they are not wanted in the city. In response to the unrest, Trump has reportedly deployed more officers despite local officials calling for an end to operations. These actions are viewed by some as an attempt to provoke the civilian population.
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The Trump administration secretly reinstated a policy restricting congressional access to immigration detention facilities just one day after an ICE officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, according to attorneys for several Democratic lawmakers. These lawmakers were blocked from visiting an ICE facility near Minneapolis, prompting their lawyers to request an emergency hearing before U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb, who previously blocked ICE from enforcing similar policies. The lawyers argue that the reinstated seven-day notice requirement violates Cobb’s prior order and is particularly urgent due to ongoing negotiations over funding for the Department of Homeland Security and ICE. Cobb has scheduled a hearing on the matter for Wednesday.
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has called for state agencies to be included in the investigation of an ICE officer’s fatal shooting of a woman, citing a lack of trust in federal agencies. Frey stated that a joint investigation involving the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension would ensure a fair review of the evidence. He noted that federal officials, including President Trump, have spread misinformation, creating a biased narrative from the beginning. Furthermore, Frey acknowledged his responsibility in lowering community tensions, while also emphasizing that federal officials’ actions are primarily responsible for the escalating situation.
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Following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison was informed that federal agents would not share their investigative file with state authorities. Despite efforts to intervene and appeals to federal officials, the Attorney General received no response, with the refusal appearing to stem from President Trump’s directive. As a result, Ellison’s office initiated a parallel investigation and condemned the release of footage from the agent’s cell phone to a right-wing news outlet, Alpha News, as unprofessional. Ellison emphasized the importance of gathering all available evidence and the need for further investigation before determining whether to charge the ICE agent, Jonathan Ross.
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey defended his criticism of the Trump administration’s response to the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer. Frey stood by his statement that ICE should “get the f— out of Minneapolis,” arguing that the administration’s initial narrative was “garbage” compared to the act of killing someone. The shooting, which local officials dispute as self-defense, has sparked tension between federal and state authorities, particularly after federal officers were sent to Minnesota for an immigration crackdown. The incident has been compared to a similar event in Portland, Oregon where federal immigration officers shot and wounded two people.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
Minneapolis Resists ICE’s Intimidation Tactics
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis have been marked by tragedy, with two fatal encounters with law enforcement occurring six years apart in the same neighborhood. This working-class area, already traumatized by the killing of George Floyd, now grapples with the recent death of Renee Nicole Good, adding to residents’ anguish. Amidst concerns of increased unrest due to heavy-handed immigration enforcement, the community is responding with citizen-led patrols, aimed at monitoring and documenting ICE activity. These patrols are a testament to the community’s resilience in the face of fear, as they fight for their own safety and the safety of their neighbors.
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