The Attorney General, facing a rising violent crime rate since taking office, has been criticized for focusing heavily on suing the Trump administration. Minnesota’s Democrat Attorney General, Keith Ellison, has filed 23 lawsuits against President Trump and his administration on various political issues since his inauguration. Some locals feel this has diverted his attention from addressing the escalating violent crimes in the state.
“It’s challenging to keep track of all the lawsuits coming from the Attorney General’s Office—everything seems aimed at opposing the president’s agenda,” commented David Zimmer, a former law enforcement officer studying public safety. “What Minnesota really needs is for the Attorney General to emphasize strong deterrents against crime, rather than engaging in politically charged lawsuits.” Zimmer voiced concerns about Ellison prioritizing these suits over public safety.
Ellison’s office has not provided responses to several requests for comments. His lawsuits cover topics including transgender rights in schools, federal funding cuts, and immigration policies. Additionally, his office has contributed to legal briefs opposing Trump’s agenda on several fronts, raising alarms among critics.
A White House spokesperson indicated that Ellison and other Democratic attorneys general are using the courts to undermine the president’s policies, suggesting he should focus more on the day-to-day law enforcement needs of Minnesotans rather than his political battles.
In April, Ellison remarked on the volume of his legal battles, stating that he had already sued the Trump administration 11 times and had not lost any cases. However, Zimmer expressed concern that Ellison’s political motivations could overshadow pressing public safety issues, especially given the notable rise in violent crime rates in Minnesota following the George Floyd protests.
While local prosecutors are primarily tasked with enforcing laws, the Attorney General can also aid in these efforts. Ellison was appointed in January 2019, and since then, the violent crime rate in his state increased significantly, although it showed some signs of decrease in the following years.
Specifically, the murder rate in Minneapolis, the state’s largest city, rose in 2024 compared to the previous year, contradicting claims that crime rates had significantly decreased post-2020. Zimmer pointed out that some of the reductions in crime statistics might merely reflect a return to pre-2020 levels after a period of significant turmoil.
Ellison has expressed support for addressing systemic issues, yet he noted concerns that rioters and looters could detract from meaningful movements for justice. Criticism of him and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has ramped up regarding their responses to civil unrest, particularly their hesitation to deploy the National Guard during periods of chaos.
In recent analyses, Zimmer suggested that Ellison’s push for more lenient sentencing guidelines and reduced prison populations may be contributing to rising crime rates. Minnesota’s prison population has decreased since Ellison took office, even alongside a rise in violent crime, leading some to question the balance between criminal justice reform and public safety.
Overall, there seems to be a growing consensus among some observers that policymakers, including Ellison, are prioritizing political agendas over core safety responsibilities, causing frustration within communities grappling with crime.
Ellison maintains that his lawsuits are not politically motivated and insists that his office works diligently to uphold the law.
