The Justice Department has accused the Minneapolis Police Department of disproportionately targeting Black and Native American people and frequently using excessive and unlawful use of force. The findings come in an investigation launched after the police killing of George Floyd in May 2020. Attorney General Merrick Garland spoke on Friday.

Attorney General Merrick Garland: “The patterns and practices we observed made what happened to George Floyd possible. As one city leader told us, quote, 'These systemic issues didn't just occur on May 25th, 2020. There were instances like that, that were being reported by the community long before that.’”