Attorney General Pam Bondi just delivered a knockout punch to the narrative that federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned in protest, declaring “I FIRED THEM ALL” after they demanded taxpayer-funded paid leave until April while refusing to cooperate with ICE investigations.
Story Highlights
- Five Minnesota federal prosecutors terminated after demanding paid vacation through April and refusing ICE cooperation
- Led by Joe Thompson, the prosecutor who exposed Minnesota’s massive $250 million fraud scandal
- Dispute centered on investigation into ICE agent’s fatal shooting of protester Renee Good during immigration enforcement
- Bondi corrected media narrative claiming resignations were voluntary protest against DOJ policies
The Real Story Behind the Firings
The mainstream media initially painted a picture of noble federal prosecutors resigning in protest over the Trump administration’s handling of a controversial ICE shooting investigation. The reality proved far different when Bondi set the record straight. These prosecutors didn’t walk away on principle—they submitted early retirement paperwork, demanded to be paid through April without working, and refused to cooperate with ongoing federal investigations.
The terminated prosecutors were led by Joe Thompson, the First Assistant U.S. Attorney who had previously earned acclaim for exposing the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scandal that rocked Minnesota’s Somali community and contributed to Governor Tim Walz’s decision not to seek reelection. Thompson’s departure removes a key figure in one of the largest fraud cases in state history.
The ICE Shooting That Started It All
The controversy began on January 7th when an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. According to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and federal investigators, Good had been following ICE officers earlier and accelerated her vehicle toward the agent, who fired in self-defense. Video evidence supports the officer’s account that Good “weaponized” her vehicle during the confrontation.
The shooting occurred in Minneapolis, a sanctuary city led by Mayor Jacob Frey, who has consistently opposed ICE operations. Good and her spouse had been involved in protests against immigration enforcement, adding political complexity to an already volatile situation. The incident sparked immediate protests and calls for a civil rights investigation into the shooting.
Internal Rebellion Over Investigation Direction
Internal DOJ communications reveal the core of the dispute between the terminated prosecutors and Washington leadership. Thompson and his colleagues supported treating the incident as an assault on a law enforcement officer but objected to investigating Renee Good’s widow, Becca Good, who federal investigators suspected of conspiracy. The prosecutors wanted the investigation to focus on potential civil rights violations by the ICE agent instead.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Bondi determined there was no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation, sidelining the Minnesota prosecutors who disagreed. When the prosecutors submitted retirement paperwork and demanded paid leave through April while refusing to cooperate with the ongoing federal probe, the DOJ leadership had enough. The terminations sent a clear message about accountability and cooperation within the department.
Political Fallout and Broader Implications
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey immediately labeled the fired prosecutors as “heroes” and called DOJ leadership “monsters,” perfectly illustrating the political divide surrounding immigration enforcement. The terminated prosecutors leave behind significant cases, including ongoing fraud prosecutions and other federal matters that will now require reassignment and potential delays.
The firing of Thompson is particularly significant given his role in exposing Minnesota’s status as the nation’s leader in welfare fraud. His $250 million Feeding Our Future investigation resulted in dozens of indictments and highlighted systemic failures in state oversight. Removing such an effective prosecutor over disagreements about an ICE shooting investigation raises questions about priorities and the politicization of federal law enforcement.
Sources:
Top federal prosecutor who exposed massive $250M Minnesota fraud case steps down from position
Top federal Minnesota prosecutors officially terminated after dispute over ICE shooting probe
