A wave of resignations has hit the US Attorney's Office in Minnesota following a controversial order from the Justice Department to investigate the wife of a woman fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.
Deadly Encounter at Minneapolis Protest
Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot three times in the face by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis last Wednesday. The incident occurred during a protest when Good, according to reports, ignored demands to exit her vehicle, reversed her car, and attempted to drive away. Witnesses state that Good and her wife, Rebecca, were present as legal observers, filming the demonstration.
In distressing footage from the scene, Rebecca Good is heard saying she encouraged her spouse to confront the agents, exclaiming, "I made her come down here, it's my fault."
Controversial Probe Sparks Resignations
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Justice Department allegedly instructed federal prosecutors in Minnesota to investigate Rebecca Good, as reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune. The specific suspicions against her have not been disclosed publicly.
This directive, coupled with the FBI's move to exclude state officials from the shooting investigation, prompted the resignation of at least six federal prosecutors. Among them was Joe Thompson, the former acting US Attorney for Minnesota, who led the significant "Feeding Our Future" Somali fraud case.
Thompson submitted his resignation on Tuesday, stating in an email that it had been "an honor and a privilege to represent the United States and this office." His departure was followed by at least five other senior attorneys, including Assistant US Attorneys Harry Jacobs, Thomas Calhoun-Lopez, and Melinda Williams.
Political Fallout and Speculation
The resignations have ignited a political firestorm. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz appeared to blame Donald Trump for Thompson's exit in a social media post, calling Thompson a "principled public servant" and labelling the departure a "huge loss." He accused Trump of pushing out nonpartisan professionals in favour of "sycophants."
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara supported this sentiment, stating that losing the lead prosecutor on fraud cases suggests the focus has shifted away from genuine law enforcement priorities.
Meanwhile, federal investigators are reportedly examining Renee Good's potential links to activist groups protesting Trump's immigration policies. The FBI, now leading the probe, states it is conducting a thorough inquiry into the shooting. However, sources indicate the Justice Department's civil rights division has not opened an investigation into whether Ross violated Good's rights, and it is "increasingly unlikely" he will face criminal charges.
Instead, the focus appears to be widening to activists involved in the protest, viewed by some officials as "instigators." Claims about Good's criminal history, labelled as "domestic terrorism" by some top officials, have been denied by her family. Public records show only a minor traffic infraction.
The Justice Department has been contacted for comment regarding the resignations and the ongoing investigations.
