By Refusing to Hold Federal Agents Accountable, DOJ Sends the Message That They Are Above the Law

In Justice Connection’s newly released video, former Civil Rights Division prosecutor, Sam Trepel, calls on the Justice Department to work jointly with state and local partners in Minnesota to investigate the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents last month.

The video was released after both U.S. Senators for Minnesota sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi urging her to reverse the decision to not coordinate with state and local law enforcement in the Pretti shooting.

Sam Trepel knows what real accountability work looks like: she led the federal civil rights prosecution of officers involved in George Floyd’s death.

The lessons she learned at the Department about the need for accountability to prevent abuses of power are not being applied by DOJ’s current leadership. Not just in Minneapolis, but in communities across the country.

Sam warns in this video that when the federal government shuts out state investigators after potential use of force abuses, it sends a dangerous message that federal agents are above the law. That’s untenable for victims’ families, for federal law enforcement’s credibility, and for our democracy.