DOJ Rejects Civil Rights Probe as FBI Takes Sole Lead, Minnesota Prosecutors Resign
Updated (4 articles)
DOJ Declares No Basis for Civil Rights Investigation The Justice Department announced that there is no legal basis to open a criminal civil‑rights case over the fatal Minneapolis ICE shooting of Renee Good. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche made the statement on Jan 13‑14, directing that the matter remain under the FBI’s jurisdiction. The FBI continues its broader inquiry while the Civil Rights Division stays out of the investigation at this stage[1][3][4].
FBI Assumes Full Responsibility, Civil Rights Unit Sidestepped Federal agents now handle every aspect of the case, from evidence collection to witness interviews. Lawyers from the Civil Rights Division were told they would not participate, a break from the usual practice in law‑enforcement shootings. Officials have framed the officer’s actions as self‑defense and described the driver’s maneuver as an act of domestic terrorism[1][2][3][4].
Half‑Dozen Minnesota Federal Prosecutors Resign Amid Tensions Approximately six prosecutors, including First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson and senior prosecutor Harry Jacobs, quit the Minnesota U.S. attorney’s office in rapid succession. Their departures signal deepening friction between federal officials who control the probe and state authorities seeking a joint review. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Governor Tim Walz publicly decried the resignations as a loss for public safety and a sign of political pressure[1][2][3][4].
State Officials Claim Federal Block on Evidence and Jurisdiction Dispute Minnesota leaders assert that federal agents have barred state investigators from accessing the vehicle, shell casings, and other forensic material, arguing the state lacks jurisdiction to conduct its own inquiry. The state has appealed for public submissions of video, after a cellphone recording surfaced via a conservative outlet. President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the officer, while Vice President JD Vance warned of doxxing risks[1][2][4].
Sources (4 articles)
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[1]
AP: DOJ finds no basis for civil rights probe into Minneapolis ICE shooting: Reports the DOJ’s rejection of a civil‑rights case, FBI‑led investigation, six prosecutor resignations, and criticism from Minnesota politicians.
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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 the state review, resignations of Thompson and Jacobs, release of officer‑shot video, and Trump’s public support for the officer.
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[3]
WBNS: DOJ finds no basis for criminal civil rights probe into Minneapolis ICE shooting: Details the DOJ decision, FBI leadership, half‑dozen resignations, and lawmakers’ warnings about political pressure.
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[4]
King5: Justice Department declines civil rights probe into Minnesota ICE shooting as FBI investigates: Emphasizes the DOJ’s stance, FBI’s sole role, Minnesota’s claim of blocked evidence, prosecutor exits, and political criticism from state leaders.
Timeline
Jan 13, 2026 – The Justice Department announces that “there is currently no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation” into the fatal Minneapolis ICE shooting, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche says, signaling a departure from the usual practice of opening civil‑rights probes in police‑involved killings. [3]
Jan 13, 2026 – The FBI assumes sole responsibility for the investigation; lawyers in the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division are told they will not participate at this stage, underscoring the federal shift away from joint state‑federal oversight. [3]
Jan 13, 2026 – Roughly half a dozen federal prosecutors in Minnesota resign, including First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson and senior fraud prosecutor Harry Jacobs, reflecting deepening tension over the probe’s direction. [3]
Jan 13, 2026 – State leaders condemn the departures: Sen. Amy Klobuchar calls the resignations “a loss for the state and for public safety,” while Gov. Tim Walz warns that “politics could be driving prosecutions.” [2]
Jan 14, 2026 – Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche reiterates that the DOJ finds “no basis” for a civil‑rights case and confirms that the department has blocked Minnesota officials from accessing evidence, asserting that the state lacks jurisdiction. [1]
Jan 14, 2026 – A cell‑phone video taken by the ICE officer is released by a conservative Minnesota outlet; President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicly defend the officer’s actions and place blame on the victim, Renee Good. [1]
Jan 14, 2026 – Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty says the federal block on evidence—such as Good’s vehicle and shell casings—“hamstrings” the local review, highlighting how the DOJ’s decision limits state‑level accountability. [1]