DOJ Refuses Civil‑Rights Case, FBI Leads Probe While Minnesota Prosecutors Walk Out

Updated 2026-01-19 10:22:16+00:00 (12 articles)

DOJ Declines Criminal Civil‑Rights Investigation Into Good Shooting The Justice Department announced there is no basis to open a criminal civil‑rights probe into the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, a stance voiced by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and echoed by all outlets [1][2][4][5].

FBI Takes Sole Lead While Civil Rights Division Stands Aside Federal investigators transferred primary responsibility to the FBI, and lawyers from the Civil Rights Division were told not to participate, marking a departure from prior practice [2][3][4][5]. State officials reported that federal agents blocked Minnesota investigators from accessing evidence, asserting the state lacks jurisdiction [2][3].

Officials Claim Officer Acted in Self‑Defense, Driver Labeled Terrorist Federal officials described the ICE officer’s actions as self‑defense and characterized Good’s vehicle movement as an act of domestic terrorism, a description repeated across reports [1][4][5].

Half Dozen Minnesota Prosecutors Resign, State Leaders Decry Political Pressure At least six federal prosecutors, including First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson and senior prosecutor Harry Jacobs, quit amid tensions over the investigation [1][2][3][4][5]. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Governor Tim Walz publicly criticized the departures, warning that politics could undermine public safety [2][4][5].

DOJ Opens Separate Criminal Inquiry Into Governor Walz and Mayor Frey In addition to the ICE shooting case, the Justice Department launched a distinct criminal probe into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, examining whether their anti‑immigration statements constitute a conspiracy to impede federal officers [1]. This separate investigation was not mentioned in the other sources.