Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison released a statement on April 16 following the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announcement that second-degree assault charges were filed against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. The charges stem from an incident in which the agent allegedly pointed his duty weapon at two Minnesotans on Highway 62.
The case highlights concerns about accountability for federal agents operating within state borders. In his statement, Ellison said, “No one is above the law and no one is beneath it— including federal agents. The charges County Attorney Moriarty has brought today are an affirmation of this core principle of our justice system. When federal agents come to Minnesota, break the law, and harm the people of our state, they must be held accountable. Failure to do so would give the Trump administration free rein to repeat the lawlessness, cruelty, and violence we saw during Metro Surge in other states around the country. I applaud County Attorney Moriarty for the work she is doing to uphold the rule of law and stand up for Minnesotans.”
Ellison’s remarks emphasize that holding all individuals accountable under state laws is fundamental to maintaining public trust in government institutions.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has not released further details about the incident or pending court proceedings.
Broader implications may include increased scrutiny of federal operations within Minnesota as well as ongoing discussions regarding oversight when local and federal jurisdictions intersect.
