Minneapolis investigating Bovino, others in ICE surge

What happened

The top prosecutor in Minneapolis Monday said her office is investigating at least 17 potential crimes committed by federal immigration agents during Operation Metro Surge. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said at least one of the incidents involved Border Patrol official Greg Bovino, the former public face of President Donald Trump’s aggressive deportation operations in Minneapolis and other cities. She encouraged the public to submit photos, videos and eyewitness accounts of “potential unlawful behavior” by federal agents. “We will investigate and pursue charging where appropriate,” Moriarty said.

Who said what

“There are many victims whose stories need to be told,” Moriarty said at a news conference. The incidents under review include the use of tear gas and chemical irritants in public parks and a high school, and Moriarty said she was “confident” her office will be able to pursue charges in the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents.

The Department of Homeland Security said the investigation was “unlawful,” because “federal officials acting in the course of their duties are immune from liability under state law.” Moriarty disputed that, saying “there is no absolute immunity for federal agents. “She will have to find “evidence that agents acted unlawfully and outside the scope of their authorized duties,” Rachel Moran, a criminal law professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, told The Associated Press. But “I think agents did illegal things here. I watched it.”

What next?

The Justice Department is investigating Pretti’s shooting but not Good’s, and it “continues to actively obstruct” any state investigation into their deaths, said The Minnesota Star Tribune. Moriarty said she was prepared to sue for access to the withheld federal evidence from the shootings if she didn’t hear from the feds by today.