Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 21 other attorneys general in criticizing the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) recent actions toward Minnesota. The group sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, expressing concern over what they describe as federal attempts to pressure Minnesota into sharing sensitive resident data and changing established state policies.
“The Trump administration has already been told by the courts that it cannot run an unlawful mass-surveillance operation on the American people,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Now, instead of abiding by the rule of law, it is attempting to strong-arm Minnesota into handing over sensitive and personal data without a valid purpose, any barriers or protections. If the administration is allowed to ignore court orders here, there is nothing to stop them from targeting the next state they see as an adversary. I will continue to call this out, demand accountability from this administration, and fight their attempts to illegally collect and exploit the private information of the people they serve.”
The coalition’s letter was issued in response to a January 24 communication from Attorney General Bondi addressed to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. In that letter, Bondi accused Minnesota of enabling widespread fraud and outlined demands for action in exchange for withdrawing federal agents from the state. These demands included requests for access to Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) data, changes to local public policies, and access to voter information.
The attorneys general argue that these demands undermine state sovereignty and could violate ongoing legal protections ordered by courts. They also contend that such actions threaten the constitutional balance between states and the federal government.
Attorney General Nessel emphasized her office’s commitment to protecting Michigan residents through initiatives such as combating human trafficking, supporting crime victims, managing consumer complaints, issuing scam alerts, assisting with expungements under laws like Clean Slate passed in 2019, and safeguarding vulnerable populations across Michigan (official website). The Michigan Department of Attorney General operates statewide as both a legal authority and law enforcement entity (official website).
The coalition urged federal officials to end efforts described as coercive against Minnesota immediately.
Other states whose attorneys general joined Nessel include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington State and Wisconsin.
