Tim Walz faces criticism over prosecutor Joe Thompson resignation flip-flop

Authorities of Minnesota Tim Walz drew criticism on social media Tuesday after lamenting the departure of the state’s high fraud prosecutor — regardless of ideas he needs to be fired only a week in the past.

“Joe is a principled public servant who has spent greater than a decade reaching justice for the individuals of Minnesota,” stated Walz posted on X Tuesday following information that U.S. Legal professional Joe Thompson and different prosecutors had resigned, together with a New York Instances report that the choice was revamped disagreements with Trump’s DOJ.

“This can be a enormous loss for our state. It is usually the newest signal of Trump pushing nonpartisan profession professionals out of the Justice Division and changing them along with his sycophants.”

The remark puzzled many on social media, as Walz final week lashed out at Thompson, accusing him of defamation and suggesting that “every other authorities” would have fired him.

FROM CONGRESS TO VP NOMINEE TO DISHONORED FORMER GOVERNOR: A LOOK AT THE RISE AND FALL OF TIM WALZ

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz gestures as he speaks in Minnesota. (Alex Kormann/Getty Photos)

“You noticed an American legal professional get up, who has been launched, who would have been let go by every other authorities, speculating about instances with none factual info.” Walz said throughout a information convention final week after Thompson stated Minnesota’s fraud disaster may very well be as a lot as $9 billion.

“That is defamation, and that is coming from the U.S. legal professional. We’re beneath assault.”

DESTRUCTIVE AUDIT REVEALS MORE FRAUD CONCERNS WITHIN MINNESOTA’S TOP AGENCY WITH MANUFACTURED DOCUMENTS, ‘MISCONDUCT’

First Assistant U.S. Legal professional Joe Thompson describes an in depth fraud investigation involving state applications in Minnesota at a press convention on Thursday, December 18, 2025, in Minneapolis. Thompson has reportedly resigned from the U.S. legal professional’s workplace in Minnesota. (AP Newsroom)

Conservatives on social media responded shortly.

“Final week you stated at a press convention that Joe Thompson needs to be fired,” stated Invoice Glahn, a coverage fellow on the Heart of the American Experiment. posted on X. “Do not faux that it is not so.”

“This is Tim Walz calling for Joe Thompson to be fired… *checks notes* …final week,” Townhall columnist Dustin Grage posted on X. “Fascinating.”

“Simply final week, Walz urged Thompson be fired for locating fraud,” stated Walter Hudson, state consultant for the Republican Get together of Minnesota posted on X.

“You actually final week* have been calling for him to be fired and for him to be sued for defamation,” stated David Anderson, deputy communications director for the Minnesota GOP. posted on X.

“Then why did you say he needs to be fired final week?” Minnesota GOP State Senator Andrew Mathews posted on X.

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

Fox Information Digital reached out to Walz’s workplace for remark.

Thompson was the lead prosecutor who helped uncover Feeding Our Future’s large $250 million meals fraud case linked to the state’s Somali group.

The fraud has resulted in dozens of indictments and convictions and highlighted fraud issues in Minnesota. Walz selected to not run for a 3rd time period amid the widening scandal.

As well as, Thompson was concerned in a number of different high-profile instances, together with submitting federal fees in opposition to Vance Boelter for his alleged taking pictures killing Minnesota State Senator Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and severely injuring Senator John Hoffman and his spouse Yvette, the newspaper stated.

Fox Information Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report.