By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport has joined a coalition of 22 state attorneys general criticizing what they describe as an aggressive federal effort targeting the State of Minnesota over public safety and resident data.
The coalition sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem objecting to recent actions by the Department of Justice, which state officials say are aimed at pressuring Minnesota leaders into complying with federal demands that go beyond established legal boundaries.
According to information released by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the dispute stems from a January 24 letter sent by Attorney General Bondi to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
That letter allegedly outlined conditions tied to the continued presence of federal agents in the state, including requests for access to sensitive Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) data, changes to local public safety policies, and access to personal voter information.
The attorneys general argue that these demands threaten the constitutional balance between state and federal authority and improperly intrude on state sovereignty.
They also warn that several of the Department of Justice’s recent actions have already been blocked by courts across the country, raising concerns that the administration is attempting to bypass judicial rulings through coercive tactics.
In their letter, the coalition made clear that member states intend to stand firm against what they characterize as unlawful federal interference and will continue defending the rights and privacy of their residents.
The effort is being led by New York Attorney General Letitia James and includes attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.