Story perspectives

Six Federal Prosecutors Resign Amid ICE Shooting Fallout

1/15/2026

Center

Thompson Resigns Amid Tensions

Joe Thompson, acting United States Attorney for Minnesota, resigned with five other federal prosecutors amid tensions over the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer.
Thompson led fraud probes, including Feeding Our Future, and cited a lack of support to investigate the ICE officer.
Governor Tim Walz condemned resignations as political interference by the Trump administration, which threatened to withhold over $2 billion in Medicaid funding; Minnesota is appealing.

Right

Ernst Leads Fraud Fight

Senate Majority Leader John Thune appointed Iowa Senator Joni Ernst to lead a legislative effort against fraud after Minnesota's scandal.
Ernst cited potential fraud exceeding $9 billion across programs.
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) proposed legislation creating a special inspector general to oversee federal child assistance programs, aiming for transparency.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz faced criticism amid a scandal involving nearly 100 indictments, leading to his withdrawal from re-election.

Left

Mayer Investigates Fraud

West Virginia officials report no evidence of child care fraud amid Minnesota allegations.
They are conducting internal examinations led by Alex Mayer, secretary of the Department of Human Services.
In Minnesota, fraud claims have led to federal funding freezes for five Democratic-led states.
The U.S. President Donald Trump is intensifying scrutiny of Minnesota's social programs.
West Virginia providers seek increased funding amid rising operational challenges.

History

Historical Context

The 2017 resignation of U.S. Attorneys, including Preet Bharara, underscored ongoing tensions between federal prosecutors and the Trump administration, reminiscent of the 1973 Saturday Night Massacre. Bharara's investigations revealed over $1 billion in fraud, while recent resignations, including Joe Thompson's, cite political interference in fraud probes against ICE, potentially reshaping federal oversight and funding in states like Minnesota and West Virginia.

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Thompson Resigns Amid Tensions

Joe Thompson, acting United States Attorney for Minnesota, resigned with five other federal prosecutors amid tensions over the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer.
Thompson led fraud probes, including Feeding Our Future, and cited a lack of support to investigate the ICE officer.
Governor Tim Walz condemned resignations as political interference by the Trump administration, which threatened to withhold over $2 billion in Medicaid funding; Minnesota is appealing.

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