Keith Ellison Archives - The Minnesota Sun

Keith Ellison’s Son Appears to Berate Officers Suffering From PTSD

July 23, 2020July 22, 2020 Minnesota Sun Staff

Minneapolis City Council Member Jeremiah Ellison, the son of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, berated cops who are presently away from the job as many of those officers suffer from PTSD related to the George Floyd riots.

Ellison placed the blame for the recent uptick in violence squarely on cops recently, as he suggested that law enforcement has abandoned the city amidst his own council’s attempts to abolish the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD). He then suggested that officers are lying about having PTSD because they hate the citizens of Minneapolis. Although he hedged this claim almost immediately, his words drew a sharp response from the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA).

AG Keith Ellison Faces Lawsuit Accusing Him of Coordinating with Bloomberg on Anti-Exxon Crusade

July 11, 2020July 10, 2020 Minnesota Sun Staff

A Virginia-based law firm is suing Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison for access to records revealing his use of attorneys financed by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to engage in a climate crusade targeting oil companies.

The nonprofit Government Accountability & Oversight (GAO) filed a lawsuit Wednesday for records detailing how the Democratic attorney general is allegedly deploying Bloomberg-financed lawyers to advance a lawsuit his office leveled against the fossil fuel industry. The firm’s complaint was filed on behalf of the nonprofit group Energy Policy Advocates.

Republicans Invoke Independence Day In Opposition to Walz’s Coronavirus Response

July 5, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Gov. Tim Walz recently filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought against him regarding his use of emergency powers during the coronavirus pandemic.

The lawsuit was filed on May 28 by four members of the New House Republican Caucus, the Free Minnesota Coalition, and at least eight businesses across the state. The complaint argues that the governor does not have the authority to “suspend the constitutional rights of Minnesotans.”

Judge Threatens to Move Trial Out of Minneapolis If Public Officials Don’t Stop Speaking Out About Floyd Case

July 1, 2020June 30, 2020 The Associated Press

A Minnesota judge on Monday warned that he’s likely to move the trials of four former police officers charged in George Floyd’s death out of Minneapolis if public officials, attorneys and family members don’t stop speaking out about the case.

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill stopped short of issuing a gag order against attorneys on both sides, but he said he likely will if public statements continue that make it hard to find an impartial jury. Cahill said that would also make him likely to grant a change-of-venue motion if one is filed, as he anticipates.

Judge Threatens to Move Trial Out of Minneapolis If Public Officials Don’t Stop Speaking Out About Floyd Case

July 1, 2020 The Associated Press

Judge Rejects Cameras in the Courtroom for Former Police Officers’ Pretrial Hearings in Floyd Death

June 28, 2020June 27, 2020 The Associated Press

A Minnesota judge on Friday rejected allowing cameras in the court for pretrial proceedings of four former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd.

Charge Upgraded to Second-Degree Murder in Floyd Case, Three Other Officers Charged

June 4, 2020June 4, 2020 The Associated Press

Prosecutors charged a Minneapolis police officer accused of pressing his knee against George Floyd’s neck with a new more serious charge of second-degree murder on Wednesday, and for the first time leveled charges against three other officers at the scene, according to criminal complaints.

The updated criminal complaint against Derek Chauvin says the officer’s actions were a “substantial causal factor” in Floyd’s death.

Keith Ellison’s Son, a Minneapolis Council Member, Pledges Support for Antifa

June 2, 2020June 2, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minneapolis Council Member Jeremiah Ellison, the son of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, “officially” declared his support for Antifa Sunday.

Ellison’s declaration of support for the extremist group came in response to President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States would be declaring Antifa a domestic terrorist organization.

Ellison Says Black People in Minneapolis Have Reason to Fear and Distrust Local Police, Claims MPD Has ‘Endemic Problem’

June 1, 2020June 1, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said during an interview Sunday morning that he believes African-Americans in Minneapolis have reason to distrust and fear their local police.

“Sadly, yes. There is a history that has been repeated time and time again. I want to say that many officers are great people. I know so many of them and I think the chief is an extraordinary person, and the mayor and the council deserve a lot of credit for appointing Mr. Arradondo, but it is an endemic problem in the Minneapolis Police Department,” Ellison said on Fox News Sunday.

Republicans Criticize ‘Alarming’ Interpretation of Executive Authority in Letter to Walz and Ellison

May 22, 2020May 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The Senate Republican Caucus expressed concern over the governor’s “alarming” interpretation of executive authority in a letter sent this week to Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison.

“Your interpretation of the scope of the Governor’s authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 12.45, is incorrect and inconsistent with legislative intent and with a more measured reading of the law. Most importantly, it is an infringement on the Legislature’s fundamental and exclusive authority to define and prescribe the punishment for a crime,” states the letter.

After Backing Alleged Domestic Abuser Keith Ellison, Minnesota Dems Say State Rep Is ‘Trivializing’ Domestic Abuse

May 22, 2020May 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The Minnesota DFL Party, which supported accused domestic abuser Keith Ellison in his run for attorney general, criticized a Republican lawmaker Thursday for “trivializing the severity of domestic abuse.”

Keith Ellison Sues Minnesota Restaurant Owner Who Planned to Open Early, Threatens $150,000 in Fines

May 19, 2020May 18, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Sunday night that his office has sued a Minnesota restaurant owner who planned to reopen for business Monday.

Kris Schiffler, owner of Shady’s Bar and Grill, planned on reopening his six locations for dine-in business Monday, two weeks earlier than the June 1 reopening date set by the state. He told one local outlet that he received a call from Ellison’s office Friday threatening $25,000 in fines per location, which would amount to $150,000 in total.

Keith Ellison Stands by Omar After Strong DFL Challenger Emerges

May 10, 2020May 9, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has endorsed Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) for a second term in Congress.

“I see U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar as a leader who is disrupting conventional wisdom and challenging 50 years of thinking that has brought us stunning inequality, weakened public institutions and an utter lack of preparedness for a global pandemic,” Ellison said in an endorsement of Omar in The Star Tribune.

Minnesota Churches, Business Owners File Second Lawsuit Against Walz’s ‘Draconian’ Shutdown Orders

May 8, 2020May 7, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A second lawsuit was filed Wednesday against Gov. Tim Walz on behalf of multiple Minnesota churches and small business owners.

The complaint asks the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota to strike down Walz’s emergency executive orders issued during the coronavirus pandemic as unconstitutional under the First, Fifth, and 14th Amendments.

Minnesota’s State and National Dems Want to Cancel Rent and Mortgage Payments

April 27, 2020April 26, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

An executive order from Gov. Tim Walz bans evictions, foreclosures, and lease terminations for the duration of the state’s peacetime emergency, but one Democratic lawmaker wants to take things a step further. State Sen. Jeff Hayden (DFL-Minneapolis) recently called for a “rent and mortgage moratorium” in Minnesota, an idea…

Keith Ellison Asked Trump Admin to End Ban on Using Aborted Fetal Tissue for Research

April 26, 2020April 25, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Attorney General Keith Ellison said a federal ban on using aborted fetal tissue for research is “hampering” the nation’s ability to respond to COVID-19 in a letter sent to the Trump administration.

After Mocking ‘Liberate Minnesota’ Protest, State Media, Politicians Silent on Minneapolis Gun Violence Demonstration

April 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota’s political establishment and mainstream media mocked and condemned the Trump-backed protesters who gathered outside the Governor’s Residence Friday, but were silent just two days later when hundreds gathered for a demonstration in Minneapolis.

According to the St. Paul Police Department, an estimated 800 people were in attendance at Friday’s “Liberate Minnesota” protest, which called for an end to Gov. Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order issued in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump Tweets Support for Hundreds of Minnesotans Who Gathered Friday to Protest Gov. Walz

April 18, 2020April 17, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

President Donald Trump expressed his support Friday for the hundreds of Minnesotans who gathered outside the Governor’s Residence in St. Paul to protest Gov. Tim Walz.

Ellison and U.S. Attorney Form Minnesota ‘COVID-19 Action Team’ to Enforce Walz Orders

April 15, 2020April 14, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota’s chief legal officers have formed a joint “COVID-19 action team” to enforce Gov. Tim Walz’s emergency executive orders.

Ellison’s Office Sues Landlords Who Pressured Tenants to Vacate During Pandemic

April 12, 2020April 11, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has sued multiple landlords who have attempted to evict tenants during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency.

Walz Launches ‘Bias and Discrimination’ Helpline for Reporting Incidents to the State

April 7, 2020April 6, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday that his office has created a “discrimination helpline” amid “rising reports of discrimination from the Asian American community.”

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan claimed that America has a “distinct pattern” of “increased discrimination during uncertain and trying times, of needing someone to blame.”

“This is unacceptable and, as Minnesotans, we must work to break this cycle,” she added.

Senate Leaders Signal Disagreement with Walz’s ‘Unilateral and Unchecked’ Coronavirus Actions

March 22, 2020March 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Gov. Tim Walz has issued 12 executive orders in response to the coronavirus pandemic, but Senate Republicans think some of his actions aren’t within his constitutional authority.

ACLU Asks Minnesota Government to ‘Limit Arrests to Most Serious Offenses’ During COVID-19 Pandemic

March 19, 2020March 19, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Minnesota has asked the state government to “aggressively” limit arrests to “the most serious offenses” during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ilhan Omar Defends Dispersing Campaign Funds to Husband’s Consulting Firm

March 19, 2020March 18, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) took to Twitter this week to “clear the air” regarding her marriage to Tim Mynett, a political consultant whose firm has received close to $600,000 from his wife’s campaign committee.

Bill Seeks to Close Minnesota’s ‘Gender Wage Gap’ by Banning Employers from Asking About Pay History

March 15, 2020March 14, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A DFL bill seeks to close Minnesota’s “gender wage gap” by prohibiting employers from asking about an applicant’s past pay.

DFL Proposes Constitutional Amendment on Voting in Response to GOP Push for Voter ID

March 8, 2020March 7, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Democrats have proposed an amendment to the state constitution guaranteeing the right to “free, fair, and equal” elections in response to Republican efforts to pass a voter ID law.

Biden Dominates Super Tuesday States, Upsets Sanders in Minnesota

March 4, 2020May 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Former Vice President Joe Biden defeated Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Tuesday night in Minnesota’s Democratic primary, a shocking upset in what was a tough night for the Vermont socialist.

Ellison Working Group Recommends Implicit Bias Training for All Police

March 2, 2020March 1, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A working group on police-involved shootings convened by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has recommended implicit bias training for all of the state’s law enforcement officers.

Keith Ellison Asks for Examples of Bernie Bros ‘Being Bad,’ Steve Scalise Responds

February 22, 2020February 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, said on Twitter this week that he has “never seen” a supporter of the Vermont socialist “being unusually mean or rude.”

What Is the Minnesota DFL Party?

February 15, 2020February 15, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Since many of our stories receive national attention, readers are often confused by the odd acronym frequently appearing in our headlines. What the heck is the DFL? And who is a DFLer?

DFL State Senator Calls GOP Push for Voter ID ‘Racist’ and ‘Oppressive’

January 29, 2020January 28, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Senate Republicans plan to introduce legislation to require a photo ID for voting, but a DFL state senator thinks the idea is “racist.”

Keith Ellison Goes on Rant Against Voter ID Laws: ‘Clearly a Bad Thing’

January 27, 2020January 27, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said laws requiring voters to present a photo ID are “clearly a bad thing” in a Sunday Twitter rant. “If you believe that elections should be decided by We the People, then photo ID is clearly a bad thing. In Minnesota, we beat the…

Michigan and Minnesota Sue Trump Admin Over Effort to Allow Release of 3D-Printed Guns

January 26, 2020January 26, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Michigan and Minnesota have joined a lawsuit challenging a federal regulation that would allow blueprints for 3D-printed guns to be posted online.

Ellison Joins Lawsuit Against ICE Over Practice of Arresting Illegals in Courthouses

January 20, 2020January 19, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced his support last week for a lawsuit that would halt the federal immigration arrests of illegal immigrants in and around state courthouses across the country.

Ellison Sues Trump Administration Over Food-Stamp Work Requirements

January 19, 2020January 18, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison joined 15 attorneys general and New York City in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration over changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.

Powerful Progressive Group in Minnesota Endorses Bernie Over Klobuchar

January 16, 2020January 15, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A progressive powerhouse in Minnesota politics has endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders for president over hometown candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

Ilhan Omar Goes After Rural Minnesota County for Rejecting Refugees

January 11, 2020May 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) accused Beltrami County of “denying refugees a chance at a better life” after it voted to opt out of refugee resettlement.

Keith Ellison Asks Supreme Court to Review ‘Illogical And Chaotic’ ACA Decision

January 5, 2020January 5, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has joined a coalition of 19 states in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a recent decision that found the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to be unconstitutional. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held in a…

Ellison Claims Suspension of Hennepin County Public Defender ‘Connected to Her Advocacy for Racial Justice’

December 30, 2019December 30, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Attorney General Keith Ellison said he suspects that the recent suspension of Mary Moriarty, the chief public defender in Hennepin County, was “connected to her advocacy for racial justice.”

The Minnesota Sun’s 10 Most Popular Stories of 2019

December 28, 2019December 30, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

The dominant conservative storylines of 2019 included the ongoing reports of fraud and corruption at Minnesota’s Department of Human Services, the scandals of Rep. Ilhan Omar, violence in the Twin Cities, and the radical policy proposals passed by the DFL-controlled Minnesota House.

Star Trib Editorial Board Calls Trump’s Refugee Executive Order ‘Nonsense,’ ‘Malicious’

December 26, 2019December 30, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

The Star Tribune editorial board applauded Gov. Tim Walz for rejecting President Donald Trump’s recent executive order pertaining to refugee resettlement, calling it “nonsense” and “malicious.”

Minnesota Mayors Signed Letter Asking for Continued Refugee Resettlement

December 22, 2019December 22, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Dozens of mayors from across the country recently issued a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to ask for continued refugee resettlement in their respective cities and townships.

Minnesota Files Lawsuit Against JUUL for ‘Youth-Oriented Marketing’

December 5, 2019December 5, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Attorney General Keith Ellison and Gov. Tim Walz announced during a joint press conference Wednesday that Minnesota has filed a lawsuit against JUUL Labs, the vaping giant that controls an estimated 75 percent of the e-cigarette market.

Ellison Leads Third Legal Effort to Protect Liberians from Deportation

December 2, 2019December 1, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Attorney General Keith Ellison has for the third time this year filed a legal motion to protect Liberians from President Donald Trump’s attempt to end their Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) protections.

Minnesota DHR Targets Plasma Center for Holding ‘Archaic Stereotypes’ on Gender

November 29, 2019November 28, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (DHR) has accused CSL Plasma of demonstrating a “pattern of discrimination” after it turned away a second donor because of the donor’s gender identity.

Another Group Accuses Keith Ellison of Failing to Defend State Laws He Doesn’t Like

November 20, 2019November 20, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

The Minnesota Voters Alliance has filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit brought against the state by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) because Attorney General Keith Ellison and Secretary of State Steve Simon have failed to properly defend Minnesota law, the non-profit said Tuesday.

Minnesota and Wisconsin Attorneys General File Brief in Support of Michigan’s Lawsuit Against Enbridge

November 15, 2019November 15, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

The Democratic attorneys general of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and California filed a brief in support of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s effort to shut down Enbridge’s Line 5 oil and gas pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac.

Ellison Joins Legal Effort Against Trump Rule That Bars Uninsured Immigrants from Entering Country

November 15, 2019November 15, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Wednesday that he’s joined another legal effort against the Trump administration over its Health Insurance Proclamation, which prevents illegal immigrants “who financially burden the United States healthcare system” from entering the country.

Omar Slams Facebook and Twitter for Allowing ‘Hate Speech’ to Reach ‘Crisis Level’

November 10, 2019November 9, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) criticized Facebook and Twitter for allowing online “hate speech” to reach a “crisis level.”

CAIR Cites President’s Minneapolis Rally in Assault of Muslim DoorDash Driver

November 9, 2019November 8, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

The Council on American-Islamic Relations of Minnesota (CAIR-MN) cited President Donald Trump’s rally in Minneapolis while discussing the recent assault of a Muslim DoorDash driver.