Seven More Federal Prosecutors Resign in Minnesota Over ICE Shooting Investigation Controversy
A fresh wave of resignations has hit the United States Department of Justice in Minnesota, with at least seven more federal prosecutors quitting or planning to quit. This latest exodus follows earlier departures linked to the DOJ's reluctance to investigate the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and mother of three.
New Resignations Deepen Departmental Crisis
According to recent reports, the new resignations include prominent figures such as Dan Bobier, Allen Slaughter, and Ana Voss. Local outlet KARE 11 reported these developments on Monday, highlighting the ongoing turmoil within Minnesota's federal prosecutorial offices. The precise reasons for this second wave of resignations remain unclear, but they appear connected to the same underlying issues that prompted earlier departures.
When contacted for comment, the DOJ referred to a February 2025 memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi. The memo stated, "It is the job of an attorney privileged to serve in the Department of Justice to zealously defend the interests of the United States." It further emphasised that these interests are set by the nation's Chief Executive, who holds executive power under the Constitution.
Background: The Renee Good Shooting and Initial Resignations
This new development comes weeks after The New York Times reported that six Minnesota federal prosecutors, including Joseph Thompson, had resigned. Their departures were directly tied to the DOJ's lack of an investigation into ICE officer Jonathan Ross, who killed Good in Minneapolis in early January. The department had also demanded that Good's widow, Becca, be probed, adding to the controversy.
Good was shot by Ross on January 7 while she was behind the wheel of her car. The Trump administration has claimed the shooting was in self-defence, but video evidence appears to show Good driving away from federal agents who surrounded her vehicle when she was shot. Becca recounted that she and Good had stopped to support their neighbours during an ICE operation on the day of the shooting, stating, "We had whistles. They had guns."
Impact on Fraud Prosecutions and Broader Implications
The resignations have significant implications for ongoing legal work in Minnesota. Joseph Thompson, who was previously appointed by President Donald Trump as Minnesota's acting U.S. attorney and later served as first assistant U.S. attorney, oversaw a massive fraud investigation. This probe is intertwined with Trump's immigration crackdown in the state.
Thompson stated last December that half or more of the approximately $18 billion in federal funds supporting state welfare programs since 2018 may have been stolen. The Associated Press reported that the overwhelming majority of defendants in these fraud schemes are Somali Americans, a group Trump has disparaged.
Dan Bobier, one of the prosecutors who recently resigned, was expected to assume Thompson's responsibility for prosecuting fraud in Minnesota. His departure, along with the others, raises concerns about the continuity and effectiveness of these critical investigations.
The cumulative effect of these resignations underscores a deepening crisis within the Department of Justice in Minnesota, reflecting broader tensions over immigration enforcement, prosecutorial independence, and accountability in high-profile cases.
