Minnesota sues government for access to evidence in 3 shooting deaths by federal officers

Minnesota officials sued the Trump administration on Tuesday for access to evidence they say they need to independently investigate three shootings by federal officers, including the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.The lawsuit claims that the federal government reneged on its promise to cooperate with state investigations after the surge of federal police in Minneapolis, and is seeking a court order demanding that the Trump administration comply.“We are prepared to fight for transparency and accountability that the federal government is desperate to avoid,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty told reporters.The lawsuit marks an escalation in the clash between Minnesota leaders and the Trump administration over the investigations into the high-profile shootings by federal officers that sparked public outcry and protests.The Trump administration has suggested that Minnesota officials do not have jurisdiction to investigate but state officials insist they need to conduct their own investigations because they do not trust the federal government to investigate itself.“There has to be an investigation any time a federal agent or a state agent takes the life of a person in our community,” Moriarty said.The administration sent thousands of officers to the Minneapolis and St Paul area for the immigration crackdown as part of US President Donald Trump’s national deportation campaign. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) considered its largest immigration enforcement operation ever a success but was staunchly criticised by Minnesota’s leaders who raised questions over officers’ conduct.