Federal prosecutors in Minneapolis are signaling a potential mass resignation, escalating an internal crisis tied to how the Justice Department is handling deadly encounters involving federal immigration officers and U.S. citizens in Minnesota.
According to multiple sources familiar with internal discussions, attorneys within the U.S. Attorney’s Office have raised alarm over what they describe as political pressure, investigative constraints, and a growing erosion of prosecutorial independence. The warning was delivered during a recent closed-door meeting with U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, where staff expressed frustration with departmental directives surrounding immigration-related cases.
Tensions Over Investigations and Charging Decisions
At the center of the dispute are two fatal shootings involving immigration enforcement agents, cases that prosecutors say warrant independent civil rights investigations. Several assistant U.S. attorneys contend that they have been barred from opening such probes, despite concerns over accountability and transparency.
Further fueling discontent is the decision to allow Homeland Security Investigations to oversee an inquiry into one of the deaths-an arrangement prosecutors argue creates an inherent conflict of interest. Some attorneys reportedly compared the approach unfavorably to past high-profile cases where independent investigations were prioritized to preserve public trust.
Prosecutors also objected to what they characterize as an accelerated push to file criminal charges against individuals accused of confronting federal officers, often without the time or resources for full investigative review. They warned that this strategy risks legal missteps while diverting attention from other critical cases.
Office Shrinks as Resignations Mount
The Minneapolis U.S. Attorney’s Office is already operating under strain. Over the past several weeks, more than a dozen attorneys have resigned, including veteran prosecutors and civil litigators handling immigration detention challenges. The office, which once employed more than 60 attorneys, has reportedly lost nearly half its workforce over the past year.
In response, the Justice Department has temporarily reassigned attorneys from neighboring districts and enlisted lawyers from other federal agencies to assist. However, current staff members say these measures fall short, noting that many replacements lack courtroom or federal prosecution experience.
Immigration Enforcement Surge Draws Scrutiny
The internal turmoil coincides with a major immigration enforcement initiative in Minnesota that has drawn criticism from state officials, civil rights advocates, and members of the judiciary. Federal judges have raised concerns over repeated violations of court orders, while community backlash has intensified following the fatal shootings.
Senior immigration officials have acknowledged the controversy and indicated that enforcement operations in the region may be scaled back, though administration leaders have emphasized that broader immigration objectives remain unchanged.
Attorney General Pam Bondi visited Minnesota again this week, meeting with federal staff amid efforts to stabilize morale and prevent further departures.
Broader Justice Department Controversies
The Minneapolis dispute unfolds as the Justice Department faces scrutiny on multiple fronts nationwide, including renewed investigations connected to the 2020 election and heightened political tensions surrounding federal law enforcement priorities.
A recent departmental memo reaffirming that federal attorneys are expected to advance administration positions has further unsettled some prosecutors, who worry the guidance blurs the line between legal judgment and political loyalty.
Uncertain Path Forward
With prosecutors warning that additional resignations are imminent, legal experts say the situation poses serious risks to the Justice Department’s ability to function effectively in Minnesota. If staffing losses continue, federal courts could face delays, backlogs, and reduced prosecutorial capacity.
For now, Justice Department leadership has not publicly addressed the resignation threat. Inside the Minneapolis office, however, many see the coming weeks as a decisive test of whether confidence can be restored-or whether one of the nation’s key federal prosecutorial offices will face an unprecedented exodus.
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