Civil Rights Division Faces Staff Departures Over Minneapolis Response

Several career prosecutors in the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are leaving the department following a decision not to pursue a civil rights probe into the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal immigration agent. The departures come amid broader concerns about the division’s direction and handling of other cases.

Departures from the Civil Rights Division

At least six prosecutors, primarily supervisors in the Civil Rights Division’s criminal section, have announced their intention to leave their jobs. The decision was communicated to staff in a meeting on Monday. The timing of the announcements coincides with the Justice Department’s decision against investigating the Minneapolis shooting as a civil rights matter.

The Minneapolis Shooting and Investigation

The shooting involved ICE officer Jonathan Ross and Renee Good. Ross has been identified as having been previously dragged by a car in Bloomington, Minnesota, six months prior to the incident. Initially, the Justice Department considered a “color of law” civil rights investigation into the excessive use of force. However, the investigation is now being treated as an assault on a federal officer, with Ross considered the victim. Video footage shows Ross firing three rounds at Good’s car as she began to drive away. Concerns were raised about the lack of immediate medical care provided to Good after the shooting. Senior officials in the Trump administration publicly suggested Good attempted to assault Ross with her vehicle.

Resignations in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota

At least six career prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota have also resigned. These resignations are occurring as the office faces pressure from senior department leadership to classify the investigation as an assault on a federal officer rather than a civil rights investigation.

Justice Department Response

A Justice Department official confirmed that Civil Rights Division leadership announced their intention to depart through an early retirement program, stating this occurred “well before the events in Minnesota.” The official refuted claims that the Minneapolis events influenced the decision. However, sources indicate that while early retirement was an option, the events in Minneapolis were a contributing factor.

Legal Perspectives and Past Cases

Legal experts suggest the video evidence, showing the car turning away from Ross, supports investigating the case as a civil rights matter. The Civil Rights Division has historically protected vulnerable populations, but has faced changes in its mission in recent years. The criminal section had previously experienced fewer departures compared to other sections, which collectively lost approximately 75% of their staff in 2025.

Past instances of political leadership intervening in cases, such as a sentencing of a former Louisville police officer convicted of violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights, and the abrupt dismissal of a case against officials in a local sheriff’s office, have also contributed to the frustrations among prosecutors.

Role of the Civil Rights Division

The Civil Rights Division’s criminal section prosecutes hate crimes and cases involving law enforcement misconduct, including excessive force, false arrests, and indifference to medical needs. Justice Department guidelines dictate that incidents resulting in death, such as the one in Minneapolis, should be coordinated with the local U.S. Attorney’s office when deemed a case of national significance.

Reactions and Historical Context

NAACP President Derrick Johnson expressed concern that a lack of impartial investigation in cases like the Minneapolis shooting could indicate a broader pattern of intimidation and silencing. The Justice Department previously prosecuted Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, a case of national significance that resulted in Chauvin pleading guilty to violating Floyd’s constitutional rights.