A Senate oversight hearing turned sharply confrontational on Thursday after Sen. Ron Johnson accused Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison of sitting with what Johnson called a “despicable” smirk during an exchange over protests and recent fatal shootings linked to federal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota.
Ellison, a Democrat, rejected Johnson’s assertions and responded that the senator’s remarks were a “nice theatrical performance,” adding that what Johnson said was untrue, according to accounts of the hearing and video of the proceedings.
Johnson Ellison hearing escalates over claims of encouraging unrest
The clash unfolded during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee oversight hearing in Washington, where Ellison appeared as a witness, according to the committee’s official hearing listing.
Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, questioned Ellison about demonstrations opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Minnesota and suggested state officials had encouraged supporters to place themselves in harm’s way by interfering with federal enforcement actions.
Ellison responded that he had not encouraged unlawful obstruction and said his public stance had been to protest peacefully and safely while supporting the First Amendment, as described in coverage of the exchange.
Johnson then sharply criticized Ellison, saying he “ought to feel” guilty over the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, and ended his remarks by telling Ellison to “sit there and smirk,” calling the reaction “sick” and “despicable,” as reported by Fox News Digital.
Ellison denies wrongdoing and calls accusations false
After Johnson’s comments, Ellison asked whether the senator was seeking a response and said Johnson’s statements were untrue. Ellison characterized the senator’s remarks as performance and “lies,” according to reporting that cited the exchange.
The hearing featured broader questioning from multiple senators about federal immigration enforcement, protest activity, and the state’s response, as summarized by The Associated Press in its coverage of the day’s developments.
Protests and shootings remain central to the dispute
Minnesota has seen sustained protests tied to a federal immigration enforcement effort described by officials as “Operation Metro Surge.” The operation and the resulting demonstrations have become a focal point of state-federal tensions, including scrutiny of the shooting deaths of Pretti and Good during recent confrontations.
Federal authorities announced plans to end the Minnesota operation on Thursday, while noting that immigration enforcement efforts would continue elsewhere, according to a separate report by The Associated Press.
The committee has not released a formal finding tied to Thursday’s exchange, and neither Johnson’s office nor Ellison’s office immediately indicated any change in their positions following the hearing.