Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) is demanding that his deputies be included in the federal probe of the Minneapolis shooting of pro-immigration protestor Renee Nicole Good, arguing that state participation is necessary to ensure transparency and maintain public trust.
Federal authorities, including law enforcement from outside Minnesota, have resisted the demand, citing the federal nature of the investigation.
The shooting occurred Wednesday during a confrontation between Good and a federal officer.
Walz framed the issue as one of constitutional rights and accountability, insisting that Minnesota law enforcement be involved.
“I just want to make this as clear as possible to everyone, Minnesota must be part of this investigation,” he said, emphasizing the state’s responsibility to oversee actions impacting its residents.
Walz tied his push to broader concerns about federal enforcement in Minnesota, including protests and operations targeting Somali migrants accused of welfare fraud.
He urged restraint in federal operations and asked state residents to participate in a “Day of Unity” and a moment of silence at 10 a.m. Central Time.
“I’d ask everyone to pause for a moment of silence, to remember [the protestor] Renee Good, also to remember all that’s good and right about this nation … to rise up to make sure that we’re being very, very clear about this, that we expect our constitutional rights to be respected,” Walz said.
Vice President JD Vance sharply criticized the governor, suggesting Walz either knew about or ignored allegations of state-level welfare fraud.
“I think Tim Walz should resign because it’s very clear either that he knew about the fraud in Minneapolis, he knew about welfare fraud, or at the very least, he looked the other way,” Vance said Thursday, according to Breitbart.
State Republican legislators have echoed concerns about pressure on auditors and state employees.
Rep. Mario Rarick (R) detailed threats reported by whistleblowers, including the fear of termination without benefits, blacklisting across state agencies and even potential misuse of military intelligence against staff.
Rarick also highlighted remarks made by Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan during an April 12, 2024, DHS Health and Human Services equity conference, where she reportedly dismissed whistleblower concerns as “weirdos and losers sitting in their mother’s basement,” causing a shocked reaction among attendees.
A group of state-employed whistleblowers additionally cited systemic issues in leadership, claiming that some supervisors pressured staff to commit wrongdoing.
“Systemic issues mean that someone in leadership is advising or forcing staff to commit wrongdoing. And these leaders will be NAMED,” they said in a statement on Jan. 7.
Walz’s administration has also faced scrutiny for indirectly supporting protests coinciding with federal investigations.
Some high schools were closed to allow student participation in street demonstrations against federal authorities.
Local Democratic officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have not publicly addressed their involvement in organizing these actions.
Through his statements, Walz positions the state as a key arbiter of accountability, seeking to ensure that federal actions in Minnesota are monitored locally.
At the same time, the situation has intensified political tensions, drawing criticism from national Republicans and sparking debate over the balance of federal and state authority in sensitive investigations.
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