DOJ rejects Democrat claims that Bondi letter is about ‘rigging elections’

The Justice Division is pushing again on claims by outstanding Democrats {that a} demand letter despatched to the state by Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi over the weekend amounted to a quid professional quo — ending immigration enforcement in change for entry to voter rolls.

A DOJ spokesperson advised Fox Information Digital that Democrats “blatantly lied” concerning the contents of Bondi’s letter, which was addressed to Democratic Gov. Tim Walz.

Bondi’s letter got here as unrest swept the state, sparked by an immigration crackdown there and a number of harmful and violent incidents, together with two incidents through which immigration officers shot and killed two U.S. residents throughout chaotic, heated altercations.

“You and your workplace should restore the rule of regulation, help ICE officers, and finish the chaos in Minnesota,” Bondi wrote. “Happily, widespread sense options to those issues exist, which we are able to hopefully obtain collectively.”

BONDI blames MINNEAPOLIS leaders after armed suspect is killed and unrest erupts throughout ice operation

Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi speaks throughout a listening to on Capitol Hill in Washington in October 2025. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Bondi made three requests, which she stated would enhance cooperation between Walz and the DOJ and “assist restore regulation and order.”

Democrats interpreted her letter as a nefarious association meant to affect elections within the battleground state.

One in all Bondi’s requests was that Minnesota state officers give the DOJ Civil Rights Division entry to voter registration lists. Fundamental voter registration lists, additionally known as voter rolls, are usually publicly accessible, however the DOJ has demanded from Minnesota and lots of different states a trove of delicate information associated to the voter rolls that Minnesota has not supplied. Disputes over voter rolls between states and the federal authorities are actually the topic of lawsuits throughout the nation.

“‘ICE will go away Minnesota if you happen to flip over your voter rolls’ tells you every part it is advisable to know. … It was at all times about rigging elections,” Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., wrote on X.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., has been inundated with questions on rampant fraud in Minnesota. (Alex Wong/Getty Photos)

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., wrongly mentioned on X that Bondi’s letter acknowledged that ICE “would depart if the state turns over its voter database to Trump.”

Murphy stated the Trump administration’s immigration insurance policies in Minnesota have been a “pretext for Trump to take management of elections in swing states.”

Democratic strategist Matt McDermott made related claims about Bondi’s letter in a social media put up that was seen greater than seven million instances. “It is true. … They’re brazenly utilizing state violence as a bargaining chip to grab election infrastructure,” McDermott wrote.

Democratic voting rights lawyer Marc Elias’ Democracy file claimed Bondi used Alex Pretti’s homicide as “blackmail” for the electoral rolls.

The DOJ vehemently rejected these characterizations.

“These politicians are blatantly mendacity. That is what occurs while you facet with prison unlawful aliens,” the ministry spokesperson advised Fox Information Digital.

In a federal court docket listening to Monday about ICE’s broader actions, Lindsey Middlecamp, a Minnesota legal professional, argued to a decide that Bondi’s letter gave the impression of a coercive “ransom word.”

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Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks to reporters after saying he is not going to search re-election, on the Minnesota State Capitol, January 5, 2026. (Reuters/Tim Evans)

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Bondi additionally requested in her letter for all Medicaid and meals help program information as a part of the federal authorities’s welfare fraud investigation within the state.

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Bondi’s third demand was that Minnesota leaders finish the so-called sanctuary coverage that many blue states and cities are pursuing. The coverage usually prevents native regulation enforcement companies from notifying federal regulation enforcement of anybody detained within the state who has questionable immigration standing.

“I’m assured that these easy steps will assist restore regulation and order to Minnesota and enhance the lives of People,” Bondi wrote.