More than 300 former federal prosecutors sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday, urging her to allow local and state authorities in Minnesota to investigate the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
The group—made up of former prosecutors who served under multiple administrations—argued that permitting independent state and local investigations would not amount to an admission of wrongdoing by federal agencies. Instead, they wrote, it would reinforce public confidence in the justice system.
“No matter which party sits in the White House, DOJ plays a crucial role in ensuring that the American people can trust the justice system to preserve our foundational values of life and liberty,” the prosecutors wrote. “The well-being of the country seems to now sit on a knife’s edge, with President Trump acknowledging that de-escalation is necessary to avoid further loss of life, property, and trust in our institutions.”
Why It Matters
The Trump administration quickly opened an investigation into an anti-ICE protest at a church in the Twin Cities. But after immigration agents shot and killed Good and Pretti in January, the administration initially refused to examine the agents’ use of force.
Minnesota officials have repeatedly called for local authorities to be allowed to investigate, arguing that independent probes are necessary for transparency and impartiality—especially when federal agencies are directly involved.
What To Know
Good was fatally shot inside her vehicle in a Minneapolis neighborhood on January 7. Federal officers said they feared for their lives as she maneuvered her car. Soon after, the administration publicly weighed in on the incident, with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem defending the ICE agent involved—comments that drew criticism from local leaders who said their agencies were largely excluded from the investigative process.
Seventeen days later, on January 24, Pretti—described as a protest observer and a VA nurse—was shot multiple times by a Border Patrol agent. Local agencies again said they were kept at arm’s length. DHS confirmed last week that two agents allegedly involved in the Pretti incident were placed on administrative leave.
In their letter, the former prosecutors urged Bondi and congressional leaders to follow “longstanding, bipartisan law enforcement norms” by sharing evidence with state and local investigators and allowing those investigators to conduct independent reviews of both shootings—cases that have drawn national attention.
Bondi and other Trump administration officials, including Noem, have said they believe the officers’ actions were legal and justified in both incidents.
“If the Department’s ultimate assessments of these two shootings reflect confidence that the actions of the involved officers were lawful and justified, there should be no objection to independent state review of both incidents,” the letter said.
Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has said it was denied access to evidence and records related to the shootings—an issue Democratic Governor Tim Walz has sharply criticized.
On Monday, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office submitted formal demands for federal information connected to Good’s death, including physical evidence such as firearms and cartridge casings, along with the names of the agents and officers involved.
What People Are Saying
Cristine Soto DeBerry, executive director of the Prosecutors Alliance, in a news release: “When someone is killed by a law enforcement officer, justice depends on transparency and independent review – not secrecy. The former federal prosecutors who signed this letter understand better than anyone that cooperation between federal, state, and local authorities is not optional. It is essential to public trust, the rule of law, and the safety of our communities.”
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, in a news release: “The federal government has been clear that they are not conducting an investigation into Renee Good’s death. But we are. We require these records as part of our ongoing thorough investigation into her death at the hands of a federal agent, Jonathan Ross.”
Walz, on X: “It’s time for impartial investigations, the departure of federal forces, and an end to the campaign of retribution against Minnesota.”
Noem, to reporters at a news conference in January: “They [Minnesota authorities] have not been cut out. They don’t have any jurisdiction in this investigation.”
What Happens Next
The letter arrived as the Trump administration announced that 700 federal agents would be leaving Minnesota following discussions with local leaders. Protests tied to federal immigration enforcement have continued, while attorneys for the families of both Good and Pretti are conducting separate investigations into the killings.
