Washington D.C. – Minneapolis lawyer Chris Madel has announced his withdrawal from the Minnesota gubernatorial race and raised serious questions about his continued membership in the Republican party following the deaths of two protesters at the hands of federal immigration authorities, marking a dramatic shift in his political stance and campaign trajectory.
Madel’s Republican Party Dilemma
Chris Madel, who previously represented the immigration agent responsible for the fatal shooting of Renee Good, declared in a video message shared on social media that he cannot endorse the national Republican party’s approach toward Minnesota citizens. “I cannot endorse the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I consider myself a member of a party that would engage in such actions,” Madel stated emphatically.
While Madel’s statement strongly questioned his affiliation with the Republican party, he notably did not explicitly confirm whether he has officially resigned his membership. This ambiguity has left political observers speculating about his future political alignment and whether he will formally sever ties with the Republican party or attempt to work for change from within.
Background of the Republican Party Candidate
Madel, who has not previously held any elected position, initiated his candidacy for the Republican party gubernatorial nomination in December, positioning himself as a political outsider and a staunch advocate for law enforcement. His campaign resonated with certain constituencies, earning him the endorsement of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis, a significant achievement for someone entering the Republican party primary field.
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As one of nearly a dozen candidates competing in the Republican party primary for governor of Minnesota, Madel had carved out a distinct identity based on his law enforcement advocacy and outsider status. His background as a Minneapolis-based lawyer provided him with credibility on legal and public safety issues that were central to his Republican party campaign platform.
Controversial Legal Representation
Madel attracted considerable attention earlier this month for providing legal counsel to Jonathan Ross, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who shot 37-year-old Renee Good from Minneapolis on January 7. This representation placed Madel at the center of controversy surrounding federal immigration enforcement operations, a position that would ultimately influence his decision regarding the Republican party and his gubernatorial campaign.
His willingness to represent the ICE agent initially aligned with his Republican party credentials as a law enforcement advocate. However, subsequent events and the escalation of federal operations in Minnesota prompted a fundamental reassessment of his political positioning within the Republican party framework.
Criticism of Operation Metro Surge
In his video statement posted on social media platform X, Madel delivered sharp criticism of federal immigration enforcement operations that appear to conflict with traditional Republican party stances on law and order. “Operation Metro Surge has expanded far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threat,” Madel declared, highlighting his growing concerns about federal overreach.
Madel specifically condemned the climate of fear created among United States citizens, particularly people of color, who now feel compelled to carry documentation proving their citizenship. “United States citizens, particularly those of color, live in fear. United States citizens are carrying papers to prove their citizenship. That’s wrong,” he stated, taking a position that diverges from hardline Republican party immigration enforcement advocates.
Racial Profiling Allegations
The former Republican party gubernatorial candidate stated that an excessive number of US citizens in Minnesota have been apprehended by ICE “due to their skin color,” making a direct accusation of racial profiling in federal enforcement operations. He further criticized the Department of Homeland Security’s practice of entering residences without criminal warrants, raising constitutional concerns.
“Driving while Hispanic is not a crime,” Madel remarked pointedly. “Nor is driving while Asian.” These statements represent a significant departure from typical Republican party rhetoric on immigration enforcement and suggest a fundamental disagreement with how the national Republican party is handling immigration policy implementation.
Catalyst for Withdrawal
Madel’s dramatic exit from the Republican gubernatorial race came just two days after federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center who was demonstrating against immigration policies. This second death of a protester in Minnesota proved to be the decisive factor in Madel’s decision to withdraw from the Republican party primary contest.
The shooting of Pretti, following the earlier death of Renee Good, created an untenable political situation for Madel, who found himself unable to reconcile his law enforcement advocacy with the actions being taken by federal authorities. His statement suggests that he views these incidents as representing a broader Republican party approach that he can no longer support.
Political Implications
Madel’s withdrawal from the Republican gubernatorial race and his questioning of party membership reflects deeper tensions within the Republican over immigration enforcement methods, federal authority, and civil liberties. His decision may influence other Republicans who are uncomfortable with aggressive immigration enforcement tactics while remaining committed to border security and public safety principles.
