Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison Accuses Trump Administration of Political Retaliation in Immigration Enforcement

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has publicly criticized the Trump administration for what he describes as a politically motivated surge of federal immigration agents in the Twin Cities. Ellison characterized this deployment as a "constitutional crisis" and accused the administration of using immigration enforcement as a tool for "politics and retribution." He specifically referenced the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, asserting that there is "no evidence" of a federal investigation into her death, despite claims from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that local leaders had created disorder by not cooperating with federal law enforcement.

Minnesota AG Keith Ellison accuses White House of "politics and retribution"Minnesota officials want to find out the truth about Renee Good’s death. The federal government won’t let them.Attorneys general come to Oregon touting their fight against TrumpProsecutors Subpoena Minnesota Democrats as Part of Federal InquiryConvicted Minnesota fraudster alleges Walz, Ellison were aware of widespread fraud

In response to the federal actions, Ellison's office, alongside the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, has filed a federal lawsuit against the DHS. The lawsuit alleges unlawful tactics, including warrantless arrests and racial profiling, framing the operation as a politically charged initiative rather than a routine enforcement action. Ellison argued that the surge was fueled by President Donald Trump's anger over losing Minnesota in the 2020 presidential election, stating, "It's 100% about politics and retribution."

Minnesota AG Keith Ellison accuses White House of "politics and retribution"Minnesota officials want to find out the truth about Renee Good’s death. The federal government won’t let them.Attorneys general come to Oregon touting their fight against TrumpProsecutors Subpoena Minnesota Democrats as Part of Federal InquiryConvicted Minnesota fraudster alleges Walz, Ellison were aware of widespread fraud

The situation escalated further when federal prosecutors issued subpoenas to several Minnesota Democratic officials, including Ellison, as part of an investigation into their response to the immigration crackdown. The subpoenas sought documents related to their policies on immigration enforcement, raising concerns about potential political repercussions for local leaders who oppose federal actions. Ellison emphasized that the federal government is blocking investigations into Good's death, as the FBI has seized critical evidence from the scene and is not sharing it with state authorities.

Minnesota AG Keith Ellison accuses White House of "politics and retribution"

Ellison has also condemned the tactics employed by ICE, including the use of warrantless searches and the alleged use of children as bait during arrests. He described the treatment of 5-year-old Liam Ramos, who was taken into custody outside his home, as "morally repugnant." Ellison asserted that the federal government is mischaracterizing Minnesota's cooperation with ICE, clarifying that while the state does not obstruct ICE operations, it cannot legally detain individuals beyond what courts have mandated.

Minnesota AG Keith Ellison accuses White House of "politics and retribution"

Ellison warned that the actions of the Trump administration represent a broader conflict between politics and constitutional rights. He stated, "The only way to get along with the administration is to abandon constitutional rights," emphasizing the importance of upholding the First and Fourth Amendments. The ongoing tensions have left the community on edge, particularly in light of the recent violence and federal presence in the area.

Minnesota AG Keith Ellison accuses White House of "politics and retribution"

• "In Minnesota, if you are killed — particularly if you're killed…in connection with an action by an official federal or state, we will investigate your death." — Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General

Attorneys general come to Oregon touting their fight against Trump

• "It's 100% about politics and retribution." — Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General

Attorneys general come to Oregon touting their fight against Trump

• "We must insist upon our First Amendment right to vote for whoever we please and not be persecuted." — Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General

Minnesota AG Keith Ellison accuses White House of "politics and retribution"

• "They're asking us to join them in breaking the law, and we can't do that." — Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General

Attorneys general come to Oregon touting their fight against Trump

There are conflicting narratives regarding the federal government's investigation into the shooting of Renee Good. While Ellison claims there is no ongoing investigation, federal officials assert that the actions taken by the ICE agent were justified. Additionally, the extent of cooperation between Minnesota officials and ICE remains a point of contention, with differing accounts of local law enforcement's engagement with federal immigration requests.

Minnesota AG Keith Ellison accuses White House of "politics and retribution"