Justice Department Rejects Civil Rights Probe as FBI Leads Minneapolis ICE Shooting Investigation
Updated (4 articles)
DOJ Declares No Basis for Civil Rights Investigation Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the Justice Department found no basis to open a criminal civil‑rights case over the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, halting any involvement of the Civil Rights Division at this stage[1][2][3][4].
FBI Takes Sole Lead While Civil Rights Unit Steps Back The FBI now conducts the full inquiry, handling evidence collection and interviews, after Civil Rights Division lawyers were told they would not participate, a break from usual practice in law‑enforcement shootings[1][4][2].
Six Minnesota Federal Prosecutors Resign Amid Investigation Tensions About half a dozen prosecutors left the Minnesota U.S. attorney’s office, including First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson and senior prosecutor Harry Jacobs; AP, CNN and WBNS confirm the departures and link them to growing strain over control of the case[1][2][3].
State Officials Claim Federal Block on Evidence and Jurisdiction Minnesota authorities allege federal officials barred state investigators from accessing the officer’s cellphone video, the vehicle and shell casings, and asserted the state lacks jurisdiction to investigate the shooting; CNN and King5 report the complaints, and AP notes similar concerns[1][2][4].
Political Leaders Decry Resignations and Question Investigation Narrative Senator Amy Klobuchar and Governor Tim Walz condemned the resignations as a loss for public safety and warned against political pressure shaping prosecutions; WBNS adds that federal officials described the officer’s actions as self‑defense and labeled Good’s maneuver as domestic terrorism, a characterization not emphasized by other outlets[1][3][4].
Sources (4 articles)
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[1]
AP: DOJ finds no basis for civil rights probe into Minneapolis ICE shooting: The Justice Department says there is no basis for a civil‑rights case, the FBI leads the probe, and six Minnesota prosecutors resign amid tensions, with state leaders criticizing the move.
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[2]
CNN: Trump admin blocks local probe over Minneapolis ICE shooting, fueling resignations in Minnesota US attorney's office: Highlights the federal block on a local review, the resignation of Thompson and Jacobs, the Washington order to keep the investigation federal‑only, and the release of the officer’s cellphone video defended by Trump and Noem.
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[3]
WBNS: DOJ finds no basis for criminal civil rights probe into Minneapolis ICE shooting: Reports the DOJ decision, FBI leadership, the self‑defense claim and domestic‑terrorism label for Good, and the resignation of roughly half a dozen prosecutors, including Thompson.
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[4]
King5: Justice Department declines civil rights probe into Minnesota ICE shooting as FBI investigates: Notes the DOJ’s refusal to open a civil‑rights case, the FBI’s sole authority, Minnesota’s claim of blocked evidence and lack of jurisdiction, and the resignation of about six prosecutors, with criticism from Klobuchar and Walz.