Exclusive: 300+ ex-DOJ lawyers demand transparent Minnesota shooting probes

Over 300 former federal prosecutors and civil rights attorneys have written to the Justice Department. They are urging the DOJ to permit state and local authorities to investigate the killings of two Minnesota residents by federal officers. Minnesota officials accuse federal authorities of hindering their investigations into the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. The letter emphasizes that blocking state investigations into potential state law violations is a significant departure from DOJ norms and threatens the rule of law. It states that the DOJ plays a vital role in public trust, regardless of the party in power. The Justice Department has initiated a civil rights probe into Alex Pretti's fatal shooting by federal immigration officers. However, the Trump administration has not deemed a similar probe necessary for Renee Good's death. Minnesota officials have taken legal steps, including obtaining a search warrant and filing lawsuits, to assert their right to investigate. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office has demanded information from the DOJ and DHS regarding Good's death. The county attorney confirmed their own investigation, as the federal government is not probing Good's death. A recent poll found that 80% of voters believe there should be an independent investigation into Pretti's shooting, with a majority of Republicans agreeing. Federal officials controversially labeled the slain Americans as domestic terrorists and spread inaccurate information about their deaths. A DHS spokesperson confirmed support for the FBI probe into Pretti's death, while Customs and Border Protection conducts a separate internal investigation. The DHS stated that Good had "weaponized her vehicle," causing the federal officer to fear for his life.