Introduction
As we were preparing this interview, several U.S. attorneys in Minnesota’s federal prosecutor’s office unexpectedly resigned, including First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, the lead prosecutor in the high-profile human services fraud cases. Their departures came amid internal disputes over how the office should handle the federal investigation into the killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Good. Reports say a directive from newly appointed U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen, instructing staff not to discuss the investigation with police or the press, along with decisions to limit the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s involvement, played a role in their decisions to resign.
We publish twice a week, so fast-breaking news, especially when developments come every few hours, doesn’t always make it into the newsletter. Many readers have told us they struggle to know which updates to trust, particularly as social media fills with conflicting accounts about the shooting and the subsequent investigation. We encourage readers to be critical of sources and to verify facts before sharing.
We’re also concerned about the tone of coverage coming from some corners of social media and local discourse, where heated commentary, including from some public officials, risks inflaming fear and panic. Calls for direct law enforcement action against ICE agents add another layer of tension to a situation that already feels tenuous. Grounded, fact-based reporting and calm civic discussion are especially important right now as the community seeks clarity and justice.
A second reason many of the federal prosecutors resigned was reportedly pressure from Justice Department leadership to investigate Renee Good’s wife in connection with the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis. President Donald Trump and senior administration officials’ public defense of the ICE agent’s actions and framing of the incident has further inflamed tensions and made it harder to predict how the situation will unfold.
This week, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, challenging the large federal law enforcement presence in the state and seeking to limit further deployment of ICE agents. Their filing argues that the surge of federal personnel has strained local resources and heightened community tensions; if successful, the lawsuit could restrict or remove those agents. Analysts, however, say such legal claims face significant hurdles under federal law.
These events, federal prosecutors resigning and state officials taking legal and investigative steps, have cast new attention on the Hennepin County Attorney’s office at a moment when national and local conversations about law enforcement, immigration enforcement, and prosecutorial accountability are highly charged. It underscores for many readers why paying attention to local races and the philosophies of candidates for county attorney matters not just for day-to-day crime policy but for broader justice issues that resonate statewide.
Caucuses to select delegates for party endorsement will be on February 3, 2026 at 7:00 p. m. The Secretary of State will publish their caucus finder on January 14. https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/how-elections-work/precinct-caucuses/
Interview Summary with Hao Nguyen
Hao Nguyen shares a deeply personal immigrant story that shapes his approach to public service. Born in Vietnam and raised in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, Nguyen came to the U.S. as a refugee after multiple failed escape attempts and years in refugee camps. Sponsored by a Catholic parish in St. Cloud, his family arrived with nothing, and he began his American education learning English in a public school basement. Nguyen says public assistance, public schools, and dedicated teachers gave him the foundation to succeed and a responsibility to give back.
Professionally, Nguyen brings a résumé that spans nearly every level of the criminal justice system. He has worked as a corrections officer, a police officer, and for the past 15 years as a prosecutor, handling cases ranging from misdemeanors to homicide and sexual assault. Currently, he serves in a senior leadership role at the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, where he supervises major trial and appellate divisions and evaluates all officer-involved shootings in the county. Nguyen argued that his experience managing major cases and large teams qualifies him to lead Hennepin County’s attorney’s office.
On policy, Nguyen repeatedly stressed a case-by-case approach rooted in both the law and human judgment. He argued against sweeping prosecution policies driven solely by statistics, instead favoring careful analysis of facts, victims’ needs, public safety, and accountability. While open to restorative justice in appropriate cases, he emphasized that serious violent crimes, whether committed by adults or youth, require firm accountability. Nguyen also highlighted the importance of rebuilding trust and communication between prosecutors, law enforcement, and communities, describing himself as a “bridge builder” who prioritizes transparency, accessibility, and respect over ideology or ego.
To learn more about Hao Nguyen, visit hao4hennepin.com
