Pam Bondi Warns Minnesota Is “Out of Control” Says 3 Demands for Governor Could Restore Order

In a sharply worded letter sent to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the state must take immediate steps to what she described as “restore the rule of law.” The letter was sent on Saturday, just hours after a man was killed during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis, a moment that has intensified anger, fear, and protests across the state.

Bondi described the situation in Minnesota as a “national tragedy,” saying that violence, protests, and growing tension had spiraled out of control. She accused Walz and other state and local leaders of failing to properly support law enforcement officers, particularly federal immigration agents, whom she said are putting their lives at risk to protect the public. In her view, state leaders have not only failed to calm the situation but have helped worsen it through their words and policies.

According to Bondi, the protests breaking out across Minnesota are not mainly about aggressive deportation tactics, the heavy use of force against demonstrators, or the deaths of civilians during federal operations. Instead, she argued that the unrest is being driven by state-level decisions and what she called “anti-law enforcement rhetoric” coming from political leaders. Because of that, she said the responsibility to fix the situation falls squarely on the governor.

In the letter, Bondi directly told Walz that he and his office must restore order, publicly support Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, and take action to end what she described as chaos in the state. While the tone of the letter was confrontational, she also claimed there were “common sense solutions” available and suggested the two sides could work together to resolve the crisis. The letter was later published by The New York Times and widely shared by other news outlets.

One of Bondi’s key demands was that Minnesota repeal its so-called sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement. She also asked the state to hand over information about its welfare and social support programs. These programs have been under increased scrutiny following allegations of fraud, including claims involving government-funded childcare centers and a food assistance program that reportedly lost millions of dollars to fraud during the pandemic.

In addition, Bondi requested access to Minnesota’s voter registration records. She said this was necessary to make sure the state’s voter registration system complies with federal law, suggesting there may be concerns about how voter rolls are being managed.

Bondi said she believes these steps would help bring back law and order in Minnesota and improve life for Americans more broadly. However, her letter immediately drew criticism from those who see it as an attempt to shift blame away from federal actions and onto state leaders.

The timing of the letter made it even more controversial. It was sent the same day that 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal immigration agents. Federal officials, including representatives from the White House and the Department of Homeland Security, have claimed that Pretti pointed a gun at officers, which they say led to the shooting.

However, multiple videos recorded at the scene and several eyewitness accounts appear to challenge that version of events. These conflicting stories have fueled public outrage, deepened mistrust in official explanations, and added to calls for transparency and independent investigations into the killing.

As protests continue and emotions remain high, Bondi’s letter has become another flashpoint in an already tense situation, highlighting the growing divide between federal authorities and state leaders over immigration enforcement, public safety, and accountability.