KEITH ELLISON: Thanks for having me. Thank you very much.
NINA MOINI: I want to get right to asking you about a news conference that we are told that you’ll be having later today. It says to talk about DHS future in Minnesota, saying you’re going to be joined by some local area mayors. Can you tell us more about that?
KEITH ELLISON: Well, what I can tell you is that you’re referring to a press conference that we’re having a little bit later this afternoon. It wouldn’t be right for me to tell you what I’m going to announce then, OK? But I will set the stage for you this way, that we are contemplating action, legal action, to protect and preserve the people of the state of Minnesota. We are going to announce how we are going to move forward to safeguard civil rights, human rights, the Constitution itself, the proper balance between the state government and the federal government.
We are going to talk about how overreaching federal government action is inappropriate and not contemplated by the Constitution. We’re going to talk about– and we’re going to talk about what we’re going to do about it.
So, you’ve been a reporter for a long time. What it means when people are going to do a press conference at a certain time. And I hope that you’ll allow me– I hope that, one, you’ll come– you’re personally invited– and that you’ll allow us to make the announcement at the right and proper time.
NINA MOINI: I appreciate that.
KEITH ELLISON: Which is this afternoon.
NINA MOINI: And I understand where you’re coming from, but I’m on the air, and I have this information that this is coming up, and that every minute has just been so critical for folks. So even 3 and 1/2 more hours, Minnesotans really want know, what is being done on their behalf? So, if there’s nothing else you–
KEITH ELLISON: OK, I can answer that.
NINA MOINI: OK.
KEITH ELLISON: We’re going to announce how we’re going to take action to protect people.
NINA MOINI: OK. Who is responsible, Attorney General Ellison, for holding ICE agents accountable for any sort of illegal activity?
KEITH ELLISON: Well, Kristi Noem is. And the president of the United States is responsible for them. That’s who is responsible. And in conversations often, you’ll see somebody acting badly, breaking the law, violating people’s human rights, breaking norms and common custom, and you’ll see this bad conduct. And then the question is, how come somebody who is not doing it is responsible for stopping it?
Well, we are going to take action. We’re going to talk about that today. But please, let’s make sure the focus and the blame and the responsibility stay where it belongs, which is firmly and squarely with Donald J. Trump and the people who he has hired to carry out Homeland Security activities, which is Kristi Noem. That is who is responsible.
You ask me, who’s responsible? That’s who’s responsible. But if they don’t do their job, then it’s our job to make them do their job. So that’s what we’re going to be talking about later today.
NINA MOINI: President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Noem have, of course, said that they feel their agents are just doing their job and that people should essentially stay out of their way and let them do their job, and then there won’t be an issue. Obviously, a lot of people in the state of Minnesota feel that they need to be there observing what’s going on. And obviously, we’ve been getting a lot of reports like we just heard from our own photojournalist, Ben Hovland, of just blatant racial profiling that people are telling us is going on against, oftentimes, US citizens, against anyone that is illegal. Correct?
So what should people do if they’re in a situation like that? What kind of recourse do if they were just sitting in their car and somebody came up and asked them, are you a United States citizen?
KEITH ELLISON: Well, you have the right to remain silent. You have the right to legal counsel. And I think you should exercise those rights. Absolutely– absolutely, you should. You should if you get a chance to go to Know Your Rights– [AUDIO OUT].
NINA MOINI: I think we’ve lost him. We’re going to call him back because we want to get as much information for our listeners as we can.
I understand we have Attorney General Keith Ellison back on the line. Thank you for joining us again.
KEITH ELLISON: Sure. Sorry about that fall off. Anyway, where were we?
NINA MOINI: That’s OK. The two things I really want to make sure that we’re able to talk about is just the many complaints and different videos and things that are surfacing regarding use of force at different incidents or instances where people are encountering ICE agents, whether they be in an observer role or the person who’s at the center of the questions being asked. So what can people do about that, realistically, if they feel that heavy use of force or things were way beyond the scope of what was necessary or reasonable?
KEITH ELLISON: Well, certainly, people can sue the federal government for violation of their civil rights. That absolutely is an opportunity people have. There are a lot of– we have a good civil rights bar in Minnesota and around the country, who want to help people, very concerned. And so that’s why I was urging folks before to make sure they take documentation, videotape, things like that. These will be very helpful.
If you don’t have video, then make sure you write your recollections down quickly. Note your time, date, location, and what you saw. And make sure that you gather any evidence that could help prove your case. Because the civil– the system of civil redress, meaning file a lawsuit. A civil rights case is still part of how we protect our rights in the United States and in Minnesota.
The other thing is that, look, as your state attorney general, I am watching this situation very carefully, and I am ready and prepared to take action. I’m hoping that you, Nina, will join us at 3:30 at the press conference. And I want everybody to pay attention to the announcement that we’re about to make, because it is important. And it has everything to do with defending and protecting our rights as Minnesotans and as Americans. And so between the state government, between individual citizens taking note and seeking out legal counsel to file their own cases, there are things we can do, and we should do them all.
I also– let me make a note, that the First Amendment of the United States Constitution says that people have the right to peacefully assemble. They have the right to redress grievances of their government. They have the right to freedom of the press. They have the right to freedom of faith. They have the right to freedom of expression. People have these rights and they should exercise them. They should exercise them peacefully, of course, but I think they should exercise them. Because I think that unless we do exercise them, we might send the Trump administration the signal that we’re fine with the bad things that they’re doing to our neighbors, and we’re not.
And so I would say exercise your rights, seek legal redress in a private civil rights lawsuit, and continue to call on me to do what I can do to help. And we’re going to be making some announcements in a very short period of time.
NINA MOINI: Just lastly, Attorney General, what you were talking about in your lane is that lane of judicial action and the court of law. I think people are– a lot of people are really afraid. A lot of Minnesotans are driving around with their passports on them. I believe, Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her said she’s carrying hers. If I come to the press conference this afternoon, I’m also carrying my passport with me now.
So I do wonder, in those moments, people want to be able to call their local police agency. We’ve heard from Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara that he feels they’re outnumbered. Mayor Jacob Frey said they are outnumbered and unable really to respond to these instances, which leaves people not knowing where to turn in the moment. What is your message to Minnesotans who are in fear right now? A fear that they may have not felt in their entire lives.
KEITH ELLISON: Well, they may have felt the same fear if they were living under a repressive government at one point in their life. I think that people, anybody who might have lived– we do have some elderly people who may have some experience with totalitarian governments in places like Germany, Italy, and Spain, and Chile and Argentina and maybe even Venezuela. Those neighbors who know what it’s like, they can tell us a lot.
But what I would say is don’t let fear take over, because fear is of no assistance. What we need is action. What we need is– we need people to not be fearful, but be thoughtful and think through what we’re going to do, think through what you’re going to do.
I personally am not bringing my passport, and I’m going to tell you why. I am a 10 generations in this country, and I’m just not doing that. Because even though I have a passport and I used it as late as last week, or– I’m just not giving into that. Now, I don’t recommend people do what I’m doing. I have my own reasons. But I think people, carrying your passport is a wise idea, is a smart idea.
But don’t be fearful. Think of what we can do to counter this outrageous, unprecedented behavior by the federal government. And just remember, you’re not alone. You’re absolutely not alone. Make sure that you are in touch with people know you, love you, and want to take care of you. And know that we’re here to– at the AG’s office, we’re thinking constantly about what we can do to protect our fellow Minnesotans. And we’ll be making an announcement at 3:30 today.
NINA MOINI: All right. And I guess, I will see you there since you invited me a few times. Thank you very much for your time. Really appreciate.
KEITH ELLISON: Personally, individually, please come.
NINA MOINI: All right. Thank you so much.
That was Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who says more news for us this afternoon at 3:30 about what actions our state leaders are taking on behalf of Minnesotans. And we’ll obviously bring you the very latest on All Things Considered with Clay Masters at 3:00.
