US Attorney General Pam Bondi has sent a chilling ultimatum to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, threatening to pull federal immigration agents from Minneapolis unless he hands over voter registration records. In a letter that has sparked widespread criticism, Bondi blamed both state and local leaders for the unrest following two recent incidents involving Border Patrol agents. A 37-year-old ICU nurse, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, was shot and killed during an operation in Minneapolis, while another woman, Renee Good, was shot dead by an immigration agent just weeks earlier.
Bondi's demands also include repealing "sanctuary policies" in the state and sharing voter registration records with the Trump administration. The attorney general claimed there had been a significant increase in violence against ICE officers and agents, using these figures to justify continued operations. However, she failed to provide any concrete evidence or data to back up her claims.
The letter has sparked outrage among Democrats, who have described it as an attempt by the Trump administration to exert leverage over elections. Senator Chris Murphy wrote on X that the letter is "a pretext for Trump to take over elections in swing states." Democratic Strategist Matt McDermott also addressed the letter, stating it's true: Pam Bondi sent Minnesota officials a letter today saying ICE would leave the state if Minnesota turns over its voter files to the Trump Administration.
Governor Walz has responded to the letter by stating that he will not support federal law enforcement and calling on President Biden to end the operation in Minneapolis. The move is seen as a clear challenge to Bondi's demands, with many hoping that it will lead to a resolution and an end to the tensions. However, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, and whether Walz's stance will put him at odds with the federal government.
As the standoff between Governor Walz and Attorney General Bondi continues, one thing is clear: the fate of thousands of immigration agents in Minneapolis hangs in the balance, while the future of elections in swing states remains uncertain.
Bondi's demands also include repealing "sanctuary policies" in the state and sharing voter registration records with the Trump administration. The attorney general claimed there had been a significant increase in violence against ICE officers and agents, using these figures to justify continued operations. However, she failed to provide any concrete evidence or data to back up her claims.
The letter has sparked outrage among Democrats, who have described it as an attempt by the Trump administration to exert leverage over elections. Senator Chris Murphy wrote on X that the letter is "a pretext for Trump to take over elections in swing states." Democratic Strategist Matt McDermott also addressed the letter, stating it's true: Pam Bondi sent Minnesota officials a letter today saying ICE would leave the state if Minnesota turns over its voter files to the Trump Administration.
Governor Walz has responded to the letter by stating that he will not support federal law enforcement and calling on President Biden to end the operation in Minneapolis. The move is seen as a clear challenge to Bondi's demands, with many hoping that it will lead to a resolution and an end to the tensions. However, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, and whether Walz's stance will put him at odds with the federal government.
As the standoff between Governor Walz and Attorney General Bondi continues, one thing is clear: the fate of thousands of immigration agents in Minneapolis hangs in the balance, while the future of elections in swing states remains uncertain.