Minneapolis Prosecutors Warn of Potential Resignations Over Fatal Shooting Cases

Federal prosecutors in Minneapolis are raising alarms about potential resignations tied to the handling of fatal shooting cases involving immigration agents. During a critical meeting, prosecutors voiced their frustrations regarding the lack of civil rights investigations into the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Concerns Over Federal Officer Investigations

Sources indicate that the meeting took place between U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen and assistant U.S. attorneys in the criminal division. Prosecutors expressed deep concerns about not being permitted to investigate the federal officers involved in these fatalities. They fear that the current administration’s push for aggressive immigration enforcement is influencing their work, prompting a rush to file charges against individuals accused of assaulting federal officers without sufficient investigation.

Meeting Highlights

• Prosecutors expressed worry about the handling of cases related to immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
• Sources revealed pressure to expedite the filing of charges without thorough investigations.
• Concerns were raised regarding the ongoing federal probe led by the Department of Homeland Security into Good and Pretti’s deaths.

Additionally, the meeting reflected a climate of unease within the office. Prosecutors noted that previous high-profile cases, such as the death of George Floyd, were handled differently, with local law enforcement excluded from federal investigations.

Resignations Rippling Through the Office

The situation has led to a notable number of resignations among prosecutors. Earlier this month, six federal prosecutors left their positions as a response to how the death of Renee Good was categorized as an assault on a federal officer. An additional six assistant U.S. attorneys have followed suit, signaling a growing discomfort with the office’s direction.

Impact of Resignations

• Many of the resigning attorneys were senior staff members.
• As a result, the Minneapolis U.S. Attorney’s office has lost approximately half of its workforce.
• The Justice Department is bringing in attorneys from other Midwestern districts to manage the increased caseload.

Some of these incoming lawyers are from military backgrounds or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, raising concerns about their lack of prosecutorial experience.

Anticipated Future Developments

Justice Department officials are preparing for the possibility of further resignations in the near future. The current staffing levels in the office, typically housing 60 to 70 attorneys, could face additional impact as discontent continues to grow.

This ongoing situation reflects the difficult balance of prosecutorial duties amid politicized law enforcement pressures, similar to issues faced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C. during the previous administration.

As the Minneapolis U.S. Attorney’s office navigates these challenges, the implications for civil rights investigations and immigration enforcement remain a focal point of concern.