Minnesota’s legal battle with federal agencies over withheld evidence in the Good and Pretti investigations and the implications for prosecutions and oversight
State-Federal Evidence Standoff
Minnesota’s protracted legal and political struggle over the fatal ICE shootings of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti has entered a new and more fraught phase, revealing the deepening consequences of federal agency noncooperation and institutional dysfunction. The FBI’s takeover of the investigations, combined with ongoing federal withholding of crucial evidence, has entrenched a deadlock that threatens justice and intensifies nationwide debates about federal immunity, law enforcement accountability, and the balance of power between state and federal authorities.
FBI Control Deepens Investigative Deadlock Amid Federal Evidence Withholding
The FBI’s assumption of exclusive control over the investigations into the fatal shootings has exacerbated longstanding concerns about federal transparency and accountability. Minnesota state authorities, including the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and county prosecutors, remain blocked from accessing critical evidence:
- Body-worn camera (BWC) footage from ICE and federal agents remains withheld.
- Forensic autopsy and ballistics reports have not been shared, stalling independent analysis.
- Internal investigative files and agent statements remain inaccessible despite court orders and legal demands.
BCA Superintendent Drew Evans described the federal stonewalling as “historic” and “unprecedented,” emphasizing the unprecedented nature of federal refusal to cooperate in a high-profile use-of-force case involving their own agents. This consolidation of investigative authority in federal hands has effectively curtailed independent state oversight, frustrating efforts to deliver justice to the families of Renée Good and Alex Pretti.
Legal Strategies Escalate: Minnesota Invokes the Ku Klux Klan Act to Challenge Federal Immunity
In response to persistent federal noncooperation, Minnesota’s legal teams have escalated their efforts by invoking the rarely used Ku Klux Klan Act, a civil rights-era statute, to pierce the shield of federal immunity. This bold legal maneuver aims to:
- Establish state jurisdiction over federal agents involved in the shootings.
- Compel the disclosure of withheld evidence critical for prosecution.
- Set a precedent that could redefine the limits of federal immunity protections nationwide.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison condemned the federal government’s refusal to cooperate as “corrosive to public trust and rule of law,” while Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty emphasized that,
“Without these materials, prosecution is impossible.”
Legal experts suggest this litigation could become a landmark case in challenging federal immunity and reinforcing state authority in holding federal agents accountable for criminal conduct.
Justice Department Turmoil Undermines Federal Prosecutions in Minnesota
Adding to the investigative challenges, recent internal turmoil within the U.S. Department of Justice’s Minnesota office has further complicated the pursuit of justice:
- A wave of career prosecutors and officials have resigned or retired en masse, leaving the office heavily understaffed.
- This staffing crisis has led to delays and diminished capacity to pursue federal prosecutions related to the Good and Pretti cases.
- Some defendants in Minnesota have been released due to prosecutorial gaps, raising concerns about the DOJ’s ability to effectively manage sensitive cases involving ICE agents.
This development underscores how internal federal agency dysfunction compounds the barriers to accountability and fuels public frustration.
Congressional Oversight and Whistleblower Testimonies Reveal Systemic ICE Failures
Congressional hearings and whistleblower accounts have illuminated deep-seated failures within ICE’s operational and training frameworks, reinforcing the need for sweeping reform:
- Former ICE instructors testified to deficient, inconsistent use-of-force training at ICE academies, questioning agents’ preparedness to exercise restraint.
- Reports document a culture of systemic misconduct and supervisory neglect, prioritizing aggressive enforcement over constitutional safeguards.
- Investigative journalism, such as AC1N’s “DHS Is Lying About ICE Training,” has corroborated these findings, exposing unsafe practices that jeopardize both agents and civilians.
- Senators and Representatives—including John Hickenlooper, Richard Blumenthal, Jesús “Chuy” García, and Paul D. Tonko—have called for comprehensive reforms to restore accountability and public trust.
Former ICE official Steve Bunnell warned,
“ICE must operate within constitutional limits, and DHS must be held accountable to the Constitution. Without this, abuses will continue unchecked.”
Broader Patterns of Federal Noncooperation and Surveillance Emerge Nationwide
Minnesota’s experience reflects a broader national pattern of federal agencies obstructing state and local investigations into fatal ICE encounters:
- The Marshall Project revealed that during Operation Metro Surge—an enforcement initiative active at the time of Good and Pretti’s shootings—federal agencies deliberately sidelined Minnesota investigators, prioritizing operational secrecy.
- Similar withholding of evidence has been documented in fatal ICE shootings in Texas and other states, complicating local efforts to hold federal agents accountable.
- A shocking recent lawsuit accuses the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of spying on and threatening legal observers with surveillance technology in Maine, highlighting federal attempts to intimidate watchdogs.
- In San Antonio, local officials including Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones have criticized federal delays, noting an 11-month wait for answers in a separate ICE shooting case.
- Residents and activists in various states have pressured local governments to end contracts allowing ICE to train on municipal gun ranges, as reported by KTAR.com, citing concerns over militarized federal enforcement operations embedded within local jurisdictions.
These developments underscore a nationwide struggle to balance federal operational secrecy with demands for accountability and transparency.
State-Level Legislative and Prosecutorial Initiatives Seek to Break the Deadlock
In Minnesota, lawmakers and prosecutors are advancing a multi-pronged approach to restore transparency and accountability:
- Proposed legislation would mandate body-worn cameras (BWCs) for all ICE agents operating in Minnesota, addressing the critical absence of visual documentation.
- Bills aim to establish legally enforceable evidence-sharing protocols compelling federal cooperation with state investigations.
- Additional reforms include requirements for immediate medical aid during enforcement operations and standardized, improved use-of-force training to correct deficiencies exposed by whistleblowers and investigative reports.
- DFL Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy champions these reforms as essential to preventing future investigative deadlocks reminiscent of the Good and Pretti cases.
On the prosecutorial front, an increasing number of district attorneys—such as Hennepin County’s Mary Moriarty and Philadelphia’s Larry Krasner—have committed to pursuing accountability for ICE agents under state and local laws, boldly challenging federal immunity claims.
Virginia’s Immigration Bills Reflect Influence of ICE Enforcement Controversies
Minnesota’s legal battles resonate beyond its borders. For example, Virginia’s 2026 General Assembly session has seen bills introduced that are directly shaped by nationwide ICE enforcement controversies:
- State Senator Saddam Azlan Salim (D–Fairfax) introduced legislation restricting ICE’s operational scope and increasing state oversight.
- These bills reflect growing state-level pushback against federal immigration enforcement tactics that have sparked legal and political conflicts in Minnesota and elsewhere.
- The Virginia case illustrates how federal ICE practices are shaping state immigration policy debates in real time.
Amplifying Public Pressure: Families, Lawmakers, and Communities Demand Justice
The human cost of federal intransigence remains at the forefront of public discourse:
- In a recent hearing covered by ABC11 Raleigh-Durham, a Democratic lawmaker poignantly displayed photos of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, emphasizing the personal toll behind the legal struggles.
- Luke Gang, Renée Good’s brother, expressed the family’s anguish and determination:
“Her death should not be another statistic. We demand accountability, transparency, and an end to these unchecked federal operations that continue to devastate families.”
- Gina Ortiz Jones, Mayor of San Antonio, echoed these frustrations, calling federal delays “unacceptable” and demanding faster answers.
- Larry Krasner, Philadelphia District Attorney, vowed,
“Fascism does not like facts. We will hold ICE agents to the law, no matter the obstacles.”
These voices amplify calls for urgent reform and underscore the stakes for communities nationwide.
Current Evidence and Investigation Status
| Evidence Type | Status | Responsible Agency |
|---|---|---|
| ICE Agents’ Body-Worn Cameras | Withheld; no access granted | FBI / DOJ |
| Forensic Autopsy & Ballistics | Withheld; not shared | FBI / DHS / DOJ |
| Investigative Case Files | Denied; court orders ignored | FBI |
| Other Key Evidence | Not disclosed | Federal Agencies |
The FBI’s consolidation of investigative authority and persistent federal refusal to share critical evidence have entrenched an impasse threatening justice for victims’ families and undermining public confidence in law enforcement.
National Implications and the Road Ahead
Minnesota’s unfolding saga is a bellwether for the future of federal-state relations and law enforcement oversight in the United States:
- The state’s legal efforts to challenge federal immunity and compel evidence disclosure may reshape the national legal framework governing federal agent accountability.
- Legislative initiatives mandating BWCs and improved training for ICE agents could serve as models for other states confronting similar challenges.
- Prosecutorial commitments to hold ICE agents accountable under state and local laws indicate a growing willingness to confront federal overreach.
- The Justice Department’s internal turmoil and federal surveillance allegations further complicate the landscape, highlighting the urgent need for structural reform.
As Minnesota remains a frontline battleground, its experience underscores the imperative to restore public trust, uphold constitutional protections, and prevent future abuses in immigration enforcement and federal policing nationwide.
Key Voices
Drew Evans, BCA Superintendent:
“This is historic. We have never experienced a situation where the FBI outright refuses to share evidence in a case of this magnitude involving use of deadly force.”
Mary Moriarty, Hennepin County Attorney:
“The federal government’s refusal to share evidence is a blatant affront to justice. We are actively pursuing every possible avenue to obtain this evidence so we can hold those responsible accountable.”
Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General:
“Stonewalling by the federal government erodes public trust and obstructs justice. We call for independent oversight and reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in these investigations.”
Senator John Hickenlooper:
“The silence and lack of cooperation from DHS and ICE are unacceptable. We need a transparent dialogue to rebuild trust and ensure accountability for these tragic deaths.”
Luke Gang, Brother of Renée Good:
“Her death should not be another statistic. We demand accountability, transparency, and an end to these unchecked federal operations that continue to devastate families.”
Larry Krasner, Philadelphia District Attorney:
“Fascism does not like facts. We will hold ICE agents to the law, no matter the obstacles.”
Steve Bunnell, Former ICE Official:
“ICE must operate within constitutional limits, and DHS must be held accountable to the Constitution. Without this, abuses will continue unchecked.”
The deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti continue to cast a long shadow over Minnesota and the nation, exposing profound tensions between federal authority and the pursuit of justice. How Minnesota navigates this impasse will influence the future of immigration enforcement, federal accountability, and civil rights protections across the United States.