Minnesota Senate Republicans attempted to expel DFL Senator Nicole Mitchell from the chamber due to accusations of felony burglary at her stepmother’s home. Despite multiple previous attempts to force Mitchell to resign or recuse herself from voting, the motion to expel her failed. Senator Mitchell’s role in the Senate is crucial as she is the deciding vote for Democrats’ one-seat majority, and she has been voting on bills in recent days. The decision to expel her was led by Sen. Zach Duckworth, who emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards of conduct for Senate members.
However, some Senate Democrats argued against expelling Mitchell, citing the lack of precedent for expulsion in the Minnesota Senate. They advocated for the matter to be handled by the ethics subcommittee, which had already postponed any disciplinary action until after Mitchell’s next court appearance in June. Senator Nick Frentz emphasized the importance of allowing the criminal process to play out before making a decision on disciplinary action. Ultimately, the motion to expel Mitchell was deemed out-of-order, and Republicans did not receive enough support to appeal this decision.
Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson criticized Senate Democrats for prioritizing their partisan agenda over accountability in the case of Senator Mitchell. Mitchell has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that she was only checking on a loved one at the time of the alleged burglary. Detroit Lakes Police Chief Steven Todd confirmed that the alleged burglary and Mitchell’s subsequent arrest were caught on body cameras, but he is unable to release the footage due to state law restrictions. Mitchell’s next court date is scheduled for June 10, after the current legislative session ends.
The motion to expel Senator Nicole Mitchell from the Minnesota Senate over felony burglary charges failed, as Senate Democrats advocated for allowing the criminal process to play out before taking any disciplinary action. Mitchell’s pivotal role in the Senate as the deciding vote for Democrats’ majority has drawn attention to the accusations against her. Despite previous attempts to force her resignation or recusal from voting, the motion to expel Mitchell did not garner enough support to proceed. The ethical considerations and legal procedures surrounding the case have sparked debate among lawmakers in St. Paul as they approach the end of the legislative session.
The decision to expel Mitchell was met with opposition from some Senate Democrats, who argued that the matter should be left to the ethics subcommittee and that there has never been a precedent for expulsion in the Minnesota Senate. Senator Frentz emphasized the importance of allowing all facts to come forward before making a decision on disciplinary action. The motion to expel Mitchell was ultimately rejected, highlighting the complex dynamics of partisan politics and ethical considerations in the Senate. Mitchell’s denial of any wrongdoing and the restrictions on releasing body camera footage further complicate the situation as lawmakers grapple with the allegations against her.
Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson criticized Senate Democrats for their handling of the situation, accusing them of prioritizing their partisan agenda over accountability for Senator Mitchell. Mitchell’s role as the deciding vote for major legislation during the legislative session has raised concerns about the impact of the allegations on the functioning of the Senate. The procedural maneuvers and ethical considerations surrounding the case underscore the challenges of maintaining high standards of conduct among Senate members. The upcoming court appearance for Mitchell in June marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing saga as lawmakers continue to navigate the implications of the felony burglary charge against her.
