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University of Minnesota law professor Richard W. Painter called the U.S. Department of Justice’s 

 to Democratic leaders in the state are a dangerous escalation on Wednesday. 

“The Trump administration has decided to use the justice department as a weapon against their political enemies,” Painter said. 

Leaders in Minnesota have strongly criticized the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs agents in the streets. Tuesday’s subpoena’s claimed that many of Minnesota leaders, including Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison are “impeding immigration enforcement efforts.”

Painter said he sees no evidence of that.

“What I see here is strong opposition to federal actions,” he said. “Our elected leaders have the First Amendment right to express their views without being subjected to criminal investigations by the justice department.”

Painter added that he openly criticized Walz for fraud within the state and advocated for Walz to drop his third-term run for office. But he said this recent wave of federal actions is far outside the scope of the U.S. government.

“We have serious issues to address in this state, but these are issues to be addressed by the people, the state of Minnesota. Not for excessive use of force by federal law enforcement,” Painter said.

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University of Minnesota law professor Richard W. Painter called the U.S. Department of Justice’s subpoenas issued Tuesday to Democratic leaders in the state are a dangerous escalation.

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