President Donald Trump has appointed Joseph Thompson, a seasoned federal prosecutor, as acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota. Thompson, who was sworn in as the deputy district attorney just a few months ago, has expressed a strong commitment to addressing significant fraud issues within state government programs.
Thompson’s stance on fraud cases, which have included numerous charges related to social services scams, came to light even after Daniel Rosen was appointed as the top federal prosecutor in Minnesota. Interestingly, Thompson’s role was quickly elevated beyond that of assistant prosecutor.
Sources tell The New York Times that on Tuesday, Thompson was among several federal prosecutors who decided to resign. The reports suggest that he objected to directives from higher-ups in the Justice Department regarding investigations into actions related to anti-ICE activist Renee Goode. Specifically, Thompson was said to prefer a civil rights inquiry into Goode’s shooting, but his proposal to collaborate with state officials was reportedly blocked by federal authorities.
Thompson’s office has refrained from commenting on his resignation, but he did mention to the Minnesota Star Tribune that representing the U.S. in this role was a significant honor.
In the political landscape, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been facing impeachment threats. He remarked that Thompson is a dedicated public servant whose departure is a substantial loss for the state. Furthermore, Walz suggested that this situation is indicative of Trump’s broader efforts to remove nonpartisan career professionals from positions in the Justice Department, favoring those more aligned with his administration.
However, it seems Walz’s sentiments have shifted since his recent vice presidential candidacy challenges. Initially, he suggested Thompson’s resignation was based on principle but now acknowledges the whispers concerning Thompson’s political aspirations beyond his current role.
Reflecting on his brief tenure, Thompson previously indicated he expected to eventually transition to another phase in his career, leaving the future open-ended for himself, whether it involves staying within the legal sphere or exploring entirely new public office avenues.
