In brief
Minnesota officials have filed a lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of withholding crucial evidence in investigations of federal officers involved in three shootings during an immigration enforcement operation. The suit aims to compel the federal government to comply with state-level inquiries concerning law enforcement conduct, raising significant concerns about accountability and transparency.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Minnesota officials filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday accusing the Trump administration of withholding evidence related to three shootings by federal officers, including the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. The lawsuit claims that the federal government reneged on its promise to cooperate with state investigations after Operation Metro Surge, asking the court to order them to comply. The administration deployed thousands of officers to the Minneapolis and St. Paul area as part of President Donald Trump’s national deportation campaign. The Department of Homeland Security deemed its largest immigration enforcement operation a success but faced heavy criticism from Minnesota’s leaders, prompting questions about the officers’ conduct. The lawsuit argues that withholding critical evidence obstructs state investigations into serious potential violations of criminal laws targeting citizens within state borders. Emails seeking comment were sent to the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department, which began a federal civil rights investigation into Pretti’s killing but excluded an investigation into Good’s case. This departure from previous administrations that typically investigate such shootings has raised alarm among various advocates. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty remarked that the federal government's practice of withholding evidence is unprecedented and alarming, reflecting significant concerns over accountability in law enforcement.
