Six Federal Prosecutors Resign Following DOJ Order to Investigate Shooting Victim's Widow

Lead: Six federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned after the Department of Justice ordered an investigation into the widow of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent last week. The departures occur amid escalating street confrontations in Minneapolis where federal agents have deployed chemical irritants against protesters.

What we know

• Joseph H. Thompson, the former acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota, and five other prosecutors resigned in protest of a DOJ directive to investigate the widow of Renee Good (SOURCE).
• The Justice Department directive sought to investigate the widow's potential connections to activist organizations (SOURCE).
• Federal immigration agents deployed tear gas and pepper spray against protesters near the site where the ICE agent shot Good (SOURCE).
• The fatal shooting of Renee Good occurred last week, triggering multiple days of demonstrations in Minneapolis (SOURCE).
• SK Hynix announced a $13 billion investment in artificial intelligence memory production, causing Micron Technology shares to decline in after-hours trading (SOURCE).
• The FCC approved a petition from Verizon allowing the carrier to extend the period for which it can lock mobile devices to its network (SOURCE).
• The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) confirmed 2026 trade show commitments from Philips Healthcare, Emerson Electric, and Burlington (SOURCE).

What we don’t know yet

• The specific names or types of activist groups the DOJ is targeting in the investigation of Good's widow remain undisclosed.
• The Justice Department has not announced an immediate timeline for appointing interim replacements for the six vacant prosecutor positions in Minnesota.
• The exact number of days Verizon will now be permitted to lock handsets has not been detailed following the FCC approval.

Why it matters

• Department Integrity: The simultaneous resignation of six career prosecutors indicates a significant internal conflict regarding the independence of federal investigations.
• Public Safety: The use of chemical agents by federal agents in residential areas of Minneapolis increases the risk of respiratory injury to non-combatants and protesters.
• Market Volatility: The $13 billion "AI-memory buildout" by SK Hynix shifts the competitive landscape for U.S. semiconductor manufacturers like Micron.
• Consumer Mobility: Extended phone-locking periods reduce the ability for mobile customers to switch carriers, potentially impacting competitive pricing in the telecom sector.

What’s next

• The Department of Justice is expected to issue a statement regarding the staffing vacancies in the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s office.
• Law enforcement stays on high alert in Minneapolis as demonstrations are expected to continue through the week.
• Details on the 10 breakthrough technologies for 2026 are scheduled for release by MIT Technology Review.
• The LVCVA will finalize specific dates for the newly secured 2026 trade shows as part of its upcoming tourism calendar.
• Consumer advocacy groups are expected to review the FCC's decision on Verizon's device-locking extension.