U.S. Attorney for Minnesota officially announces resignation

U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger officially announced his resignation as the chief federal law enforcement officer in the district of Minnesota effective 11:59 p.m. on January 15. This was Luger’s second time in the role after being appointed by President Joe Biden in March 2022 and President Barack Obama in 2014.

““I have been honored to lead this office for the second time,” said Luger. “In March 2022, I set us on the path to address violent crime to meet the challenge our community faced. I am so grateful to the people of this Office and our many law enforcement partners for the work we have done to bring violent criminals to justice. We have also taken aggressive action against child predators, for which I am proud.”

A release from the Department of Justice stated that under Luger’s leadership the U.S. Attorney’s Office prioritized the prosecution of crimes related to gun and gang violence, narcotics trafficking, child exploitation online, human trafficking and smuggling, and financial fraud and public corruption and charged over 100 gang members, brought first ever RICO cases against Minneapolis gangs, charged 70 defendants in the Feeding Our Future scandal and charged 5 people with attempting to bribe a juror in the first Feeding Our Future trial.

“U.S. Attorney Luger’s vision and innovative approach to combatting violent crime in the Twin Cities and beyond recently earned him commendation from the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association and the Minneapolis Police Department,” stated the release. “Last September, U.S. Attorney Luger received an Honorary Award of Appreciation from the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for his ‘innovative strategy of both targeting those who are committing firearm violence and disrupting the supply of firearms to criminals in Minnesota’ and support of the overall mission of the ATF.”

Lisa D. Kirkpatrick, who currently serves as First Assistant United States Attorney, will become the Acting United States Attorney once Luger steps down.