WASHINGTON (AP) — Minnesota officials filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday accusing the Trump administration of withholding evidence related to three shootings by federal officers, including the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. The lawsuit claims that the federal government reneged on its promise to cooperate with state investigations following the controversial Operation Metro Surge, which saw an influx of federal officers for an immigration crackdown.
The operation, touted by the Department of Homeland Security as the largest enforcement initiative conducted under President Donald Trump, faced severe criticism from state leaders, with concerns surrounding the officers' conduct.
According to the lawsuit, the federal government is not allowed to withhold investigative evidence when a state is probing significant potential criminal violations against its citizens. Emails seeking comment have been sent to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Justice Department.
In related developments, the Justice Department announced in January a civil rights investigation into the killing of Alex Pretti but did not regard an investigation into Good's death as warranted, which deviates from past federal responses where investigations were promptly initiated in similar cases. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty expressed alarm over a policy perceived as withholding evidence categorically, raising questions about accountability and transparency in law enforcement actions.
The operation, touted by the Department of Homeland Security as the largest enforcement initiative conducted under President Donald Trump, faced severe criticism from state leaders, with concerns surrounding the officers' conduct.
According to the lawsuit, the federal government is not allowed to withhold investigative evidence when a state is probing significant potential criminal violations against its citizens. Emails seeking comment have been sent to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Justice Department.
In related developments, the Justice Department announced in January a civil rights investigation into the killing of Alex Pretti but did not regard an investigation into Good's death as warranted, which deviates from past federal responses where investigations were promptly initiated in similar cases. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty expressed alarm over a policy perceived as withholding evidence categorically, raising questions about accountability and transparency in law enforcement actions.
