Overview
- In a March 2 Star Tribune commentary, Rep. Angie Craig said she regrets voting for the Laken Riley Act, which expanded ICE detention powers including detention without bail for certain charges.
- Craig cited Minnesota’s Operation Metro Surge, which brought large federal raids, thousands of arrests, and the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as prompting her reassessment.
- Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Craig’s DFL rival, criticized the reversal as too late and has noted Craig was the only Minnesota Democrat in Congress to back the bill.
- Republicans pounced on Craig’s shift, with GOP Senate hopefuls and Trump aides attacking her stance in statements and posts highlighted in right-leaning outlets.
- The contest to replace retiring Sen. Tina Smith moves toward a DFL endorsement at a May convention ahead of an Aug. 11 primary.