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The Justice Department has initiated a civil rights investigation focused on the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office in Minnesota. This inquiry stems from a recently implemented directive mandating prosecutors to account for race when negotiating plea deals for criminal defendants.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, along with Acting Associate Attorney General Chad Mizelle and Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon, communicated directly with Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. Their letter, dated May 2, outlined the department’s concerns regarding potential civil rights violations by the office.
The directive in question, known as the ‘Negotiations Policy for Cases Involving Adult Defendants’, instructs prosecutors to evaluate race as a factor in forming plea offers. This approach suggests that racial identity should play a significant role in overall analyses and encourages identifying and addressing racial disparities at key decision points.
The letter emphasized that the investigation specifically aims to determine if the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office illegally considers race in its prosecutorial decisions. Such actions could represent a pattern of practice that deprives individuals of their constitutionally protected rights.
Bondi, Mizelle, and Dhillon alluded to a thorough review of existing policies and practices within the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. This review will specifically address any illegal racial considerations involved in prosecutorial decision-making.
Additionally, Dhillon authorized a comprehensive examination to ascertain whether the office is engaged in a systematic approach that deprives individuals of rights secured by the Constitution or federal laws. The letter reassured Moriarty that no conclusions had been drawn yet and that their investigation would consider all relevant information. They also welcomed her cooperation to clarify the situation.
The Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Sections are set to supervise this investigation. They intend to reach out to Moriarty soon to establish a mutually agreeable meeting to discuss the investigation’s parameters and the information necessary for a thorough review.
Fox News Digital sought comments from both Moriarty’s office and the Justice Department regarding the investigation. Moriarty, who assumed office in January 2023, previously served as the county’s chief public defender. She was part of a progressive wave of district attorneys elected after George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis and the subsequent Black Lives Matter protests.
Her ascent to the role of Hennepin County Attorney came with significant support from groups aligned with George Soros, a prominent backer of progressive causes in the United States. Moriarty pledged to hold law enforcement accountable in the wake of Floyd’s death.
Since her appointment, Moriarty has encountered substantial backlash. Critics, including some of her former supporters, have questioned her decisions, particularly those involving lighter sentences for violent offenses and a greater emphasis on diversion programs rather than incarceration.
Local officials, police officers, and even some progressive activists criticized Moriarty when she initially charged a White state trooper in connection with the death of a Black man last summer, only to later withdraw the charges. This incident ignited a high-profile campaign led by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, which urged Governor Tim Walz to reassign the prosecution away from Moriarty.
In a more recent controversy, Republican leaders in Minnesota condemned Moriarty for her decision not to pursue charges against a staffer of Governor Walz related to the vandalism of several Tesla vehicles. The administration of former President Donald Trump has labeled Tesla vandalism as a form of domestic terrorism, advocating for increased accountability for such crimes.
As the investigation unfolds, many are watching closely to see the implications of the Hennepin County Attorney’s policies on the justice system. The conversation around the role of race in prosecutorial decisions continues to be a contentious issue across the nation.
Clear expectations about law enforcement accountability have emerged since the civil rights movement. Current judicial practices are increasingly scrutinized to ensure fair treatment for all individuals, regardless of ethnicity or background. This examination of the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office could set a precedent affecting similar policies nationwide.
As the story develops, stakeholders are encouraged to engage in discussions regarding racial equity and justice reform. The ongoing inquiries by the Justice Department may not only reflect local practices but could also catalyze broader changes in prosecutorial norms.
Fox News Digital’s reporting is enriched by contributions from Deirdre Heavy, Andrew Mark Miller, and the Associated Press.
