A coalition of twenty-two attorneys general has formally challenged the Trump administration regarding its recent actions in Minnesota. Led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, the group sent a letter today to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The letter criticizes the Department of Justice for demanding sensitive state data and requesting changes to local public safety policies.
The conflict centers on a message Bondi sent to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on January 24. In that letter, the Justice Department accused the state of enabling fraud and requested access to voter information, as well as to Medicaid and food stamp (SNAP) recipient records.
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Bondi indicated that federal agents would withdraw from the state if these conditions were met. This request came on the same day federal immigration agents were involved in a shooting that killed a Minneapolis resident, Alex Pretti.
In their response, the state attorneys general argued that the federal demands infringe on Minnesota’s rights. They claimed the administration is attempting to “coerce” the state by using the presence of federal agents as leverage.
“The federal government is asking us to accept a belated justification for its unlawful actions in Minnesota,” James said in a statement. She emphasized that the coalition would “refuse to be intimidated” and would defend the boundary between state and federal power.
READ: Minneapolis Mayor: 11-Day-Old Video Doesn’t Justify Pretti Shooting
The group warned that the administration’s approach creates conflict with existing court protections and aims to force the state to abandon its residents.
They argued that the presence of federal agents has caused fear and violence in neighborhoods rather than improving safety.
The letter urges the administration to stop its current campaign immediately. Officials from states including California, Illinois, Michigan, and Virginia joined New York in signing the demand.
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