Minnesota Advances Investigations into Federal Officers Over Trump-Era Immigration Crackdown
Minnesota officials are pushing forward with investigations into federal law enforcement officers involved in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities, despite jurisdictional disputes with the federal government. On Thursday, April 16, 2026, Hennepin County announced charges against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, marking a significant escalation in local efforts to hold federal officers accountable.
Charges Filed and Jurisdictional Challenges
Hennepin County has charged Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., an ICE agent, with pointing his gun at a motorist and passenger on a Minneapolis highway. A local prosecutor described this as the first such warrant against an officer involved in the crackdown in Minnesota. The federal government has argued that Minnesota prosecutors lack jurisdiction to investigate federal officers, but the state has not backed down. Last month, Minnesota sued the administration for access to evidence related to three shootings, including two fatalities, underscoring the ongoing legal battle.
High-Profile Cases Under Scrutiny
Several cases have drawn national attention, highlighting alleged misconduct during the crackdown:
- Alex Pretti: A 37-year-old intensive care nurse was shot and killed by federal officers on January 24 while protesting. The Trump administration claimed shots were fired defensively, alleging Pretti had a semiautomatic handgun and resisted violently. However, multiple videos show Pretti holding only his mobile phone as officers tackled him, with one officer removing a handgun from his pants after another shot him in the back. The Justice Department and Customs and Border Patrol are conducting separate investigations into his killing.
- Renee Good: A 37-year-old mother was killed when an ICE officer fired into her SUV as she blocked a residential street. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated she impeded operations and weaponized her vehicle, but the incident remains under investigation. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche noted that not all law enforcement shootings warrant a civil rights investigation, depending on circumstances.
- Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis: Wounded in January when a federal officer shot his thigh, Sosa-Celis was initially accused of assaulting an ICE officer, but charges were dropped. Authorities are now investigating whether two immigration officers lied under oath about the shooting, with both officers on administrative leave during a joint ICE and DOJ review.
- ChongLy “Scott” Thao: A Hmong American man whose arrest by ICE officers in St. Paul is being investigated by Ramsey County for potential kidnapping, burglary, and false imprisonment. Video shows officers bashing open his door and leading him outside in freezing conditions. DHS has dismissed the investigation as a political stunt, while local officials seek clarity on whether a warrant existed.
Broader Investigation Efforts
In early March, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty revealed her office is investigating at least 17 cases, considering misconduct charges against federal officers, including Border Patrol official Greg Bovino. Incidents under review include Bovino throwing a smoke canister at protesters on January 21 and federal officers deploying chemical irritants near a high school on January 7. These efforts reflect Minnesota's determination to address alleged abuses, even as federal authorities resist cooperation.
The investigations highlight ongoing tensions between state and federal governments over immigration enforcement, with Minnesota taking a proactive stance in seeking accountability for actions during the Trump administration's crackdown. As cases progress, they could set precedents for how local jurisdictions handle federal law enforcement misconduct in the future.
