Trump Justice Department quietly drops investigation into the Hennepin County Attorney's Office policy

Last May, the DOJ said they were looking into a policy that considers "racial identity" in prosecuting cases
The Trump Justice Department has quietly dropped its investigation into the Hennepin County Attorney's Office.
The Trump Justice Department has quietly dropped its investigation into the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. Photo credit (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

The Trump Justice Department has quietly dropped its investigation into the Hennepin County Attorney's Office.

Last year, the Justice Department announced that they were looking into a policy that considers "racial identity" in prosecuting cases.

That case has now been dropped, they say, after the county attorney's office dropped language about race.

But a statement overnight from the attorney's office says the DOJ "caved," and calls the entire investigation a stunt.

"The Department of Justice never had authority to investigate this office," they said in a written statement. "It was always a stunt, and their depleted 'Civil Rights' division’s best strategy was to announce an investigation, grab headlines, then close the investigation and claim victory.

According to the Hennepin County Attorney's office, they'll continue to address racial bias and disparities that have "harmed our community for generations."

"Our policy was always constitutional," the statement continues. "The update makes it clear that racial bias and disparities have harmed our community for generations and we will take action to address them."

County Attorney Mary Moriarty said when announcing the move that it is part of the office's work to address longstanding racial disparities in Hennepin County. Detractors argued the change may be violating the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

Featured Image Photo Credit: (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)