A state representative, known for his multiple run-ins with law enforcement, domestic abuse allegations, and a recent residency controversy has been expelled from the Minnesota House Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) caucus.
Rep. John Thompson (D-District 67A) was expelled by his own party Wednesday, following a string of outlandish behavior and resurfaced allegations of domestic abuse, according to multiple reports.
“Rep. Thompson’s actions, credible reports of abuse and misconduct, and his failure to take responsibility remain unacceptable for a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. It would be best for Rep. Thompson, his family, and the institution for him to resign. In the absence of a resignation, the Minnesota House DFL has voted to remove Rep. Thompson from the caucus,” a joint statement from Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler said.
Thompson will no longer have access to DFL staff or resources and has been stripped of his committee assignments.
He was reportedly asked to resign but refused.
Thomspon’s latest controversy stemmed from a traffic stop, wherein he accused St. Paul police of racially profiling him, which he says led to a traffic stop. He was cited for driving without a front license plate, which is against the law in Minnesota.
But that stop led to questions about Thompson’s residency after he presented police with a Wisconsin ID.
“During the traffic stop, it was also discovered that Thompson’s license was suspended for failing to pay child support,” The Minnesota Sun reported. Thompson also does not currently hold a Minnesota driver’s license, despite having lived in the state for several years. Thompson’s Wisconsin license was renewed at the end of 2020, during his campaign for state representative.
Around the same time, an ethics complaint was filed against Thompson after he was accused of calling another House member a racist during a shouting match.
In August 2020, Thompson called for Black Lives Matter protestors to burn down the town of Hugo during the Democrat Party’s “Summer of Love.”
After that, Alpha News reported on Thompson’s criminal record, which includes charges for domestic assault and making terroristic threats. He was never convicted for those alleged crimes.
He was endorsed in his bid for State House by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) and Gov. Tim Walz (D).
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Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Minnesota Sun and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “John Thompson” by John Thompson. Background Photo “Minnesota State Capitol” by McGhiever. CC BY-SA 4.0.
