Minnesota’s Top Fraud Prosecutor Joe Thompson Resigns Amid DOJ Dispute Over ICE Shooting Probe
Minneapolis, MN – Joe Thompson, the veteran federal prosecutor who led Minnesota’s charge against massive fraud schemes, has resigned from the U.S. Attorney’s Office alongside five other senior prosecutors. The departures, announced Tuesday, stem from disagreements over the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) handling of the investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent last week.[2][3]
Resignations Tied to ICE Shooting Investigation
Thompson, who served as acting U.S. Attorney until Daniel Rosen’s appointment in October 2025, objected to the DOJ’s directive to probe Good’s widow – who was in the vehicle during the incident – and its decision to exclude state authorities from the inquiry, according to reports from The New York Times and Minnesota Public Radio.[1][2][4]
The shooting occurred recently in Minneapolis, where Good, described by the Trump administration as attempting to ram an ICE officer, was killed. Critics argue she was fleeing authorities. Federal investigators are now examining the widow’s possible ties to activist groups protesting ICE enforcement, a move that prompted the resignations.[3][5]
“There is currently no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated regarding the probe into the shooting.[3]
Thompson’s Stellar Record in Fraud and Crime Prosecutions
Thompson, 47, was instrumental in dismantling the $250 million Feeding Our Future scandal, one of the largest fraud cases in state history, leading to dozens of indictments and convictions. He warned last year that Minnesota’s fraud issues could total up to $9 billion, spotlighting vulnerabilities in public programs like Medicaid.[2][3][7]
His portfolio extended beyond fraud. Thompson oversaw federal charges against Vance Boelter in the brutal shooting rampage that killed state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and wounded Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette.[3][4][6]
“It has been an honor and a privilege to represent the United States and this office,” Thompson wrote in a farewell email obtained by the Minnesota Star Tribune. He did not explicitly state his reasons for leaving.[2][3]
Senior Prosecutors Follow Suit
Joining Thompson were Harry Jacobs, who led fraud investigations; Thomas Calhoun-Lopez, Chief of the Violent and Major Crimes Unit; Melinda Williams; and two others, totaling six resignations.[2][4][6]
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has not commented on the departures or their impact on ongoing cases.[2]
Political Backlash and Tributes
Governor Tim Walz mourned the loss, calling Thompson a “principled public servant” who collaborated with state agencies like the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on fraud prosecutions. “This is the latest sign that President Trump is pushing nonpartisan career professionals out of the Department of Justice and replacing them with his sycophants,” Walz stated.[4][6]
Sen. Amy Klobuchar praised Thompson, recounting a call where he expressed his love for the job. “He knows that his good work will remain,” she said.[4]
BCA Superintendent Drew Evans highlighted the “vacuum of expertise” left behind, noting the prosecutors’ role in combating violent crime and fraud. “They will not be easy to replace.”[4]
Broader Implications for Minnesota Justice
Minnesota has grappled with high-profile scandals, from Feeding Our Future to church-related fraud and lawmaker shootings. Thompson’s exit raises concerns about continuity in these probes, especially as the state leads national fraud statistics.[3][5][7]
Gov. Walz’s decision not to seek a third term was partly linked to the Feeding Our Future fallout, underscoring the scandal’s political weight.[3]
The resignations coincide with other DOJ tensions, including a reported Trump administration probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.[6]
What’s Next?
The ICE shooting investigation proceeds without Thompson and his colleagues, potentially shifting dynamics in a politically charged case.[5]
Former prosecutors told CBS News the departures mark a “darkest day” for the office, questioning impacts on national fraud cases drawing attention.[7]
As Minnesota navigates these voids, questions linger about DOJ priorities under the Trump administration and their effect on state-federal partnerships.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.