Trump Governance Demands Voter Data from Minnesota Amid Federal Presence
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The Trump administration is attempting to leverage access to federal aid in exchange for Minnesota sharing sensitive voter and social services data, according to a letter from Attorney General Pam Bondi to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Minnesota’s Secretary of State Steve simon characterized the request as a “ransom” for Minneapolis’s freedom from a growing federal law enforcement presence.
Details of the Request
On December 2,2025,Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to Governor Walz outlining what she termed “common sense solutions” to end the unrest in Minnesota. These solutions included sharing Minnesota’s voter rolls, as well as data from Medicaid and food assistance programs, with the federal government. The letter implies a connection between providing this data and continued federal assistance to the state.
Context and Background
The request comes as Minneapolis has experienced ongoing protests and unrest following a grand jury decision in a local case. The Trump administration responded by increasing the presence of federal law enforcement in the city, a move that has been met with criticism from local officials who view it as an overreach of federal power. The demand for voter data raises concerns about potential misuse and voter intimidation.
Official statement
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon publicly denounced the request, stating it was an attempt to “ransom” Minneapolis. He argued that sharing voter data would violate privacy laws and potentially compromise the integrity of future elections. No specific details regarding the potential use of the data were provided by the Attorney general’s office.
this story originally appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter.
