MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tensions have escalated in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of a woman by an immigration officer, with local leaders pushing for state involvement in the ongoing investigation.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and U.S. Senator Tina Smith voiced their concerns, arguing that state authorities must participate given the potential for bias in a federal investigation. In separate interviews, both officials stressed that the federal government has already indicated its stance on the events surrounding the incident.
Senator Smith remarked, How can we trust the federal government to do an objective, unbiased investigation when they’ve already revealed their perspective on what occurred? during an appearance on ABC's This Week.\
The federal response to the shooting has been defended by officials from the Trump administration, who assert that the officer acted in self-defense during the incident involving Renee Good.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced criticism during a CNN interview, where she downplayed concerns from local authorities about their exclusion from the investigation, asserting that cooperation between federal and local agencies occurs when requested.
The rivalry between federal and local officials has intensified, with both sides blaming the other for the rhetoric emerging after Good's tragic death. Mayor Frey characterized the officer's actions as an abuse of power, insisting that video evidence supports his claims.
Let's ensure the investigation is conducted by those who are free of bias, Frey stated on NBC's Meet the Press.\
The shooting incident involving Good and another involving federal agents in Portland, Oregon, has sparked national protests throughout the weekend.
Federal officials have characterized both shootings as self-defense against individuals who they claim aimed vehicles at the officers involved. In Minneapolis, thousands joined protests denouncing federal immigration enforcement actions, which Homeland Security labeled as one of their largest operations in the Twin Cities.
