The DFL has lost voter support and made room for a potential Republican takeover due to its incoherent stance on crime. This isn’t just a “messaging” issue—it’s a fundamental failure to take a firm position. The party must unequivocally state: We will not tolerate violent crime and fraud.
We’ll revisit this topic multiple times, but for today, here are a few observations:
- The DFL downplays the impact of crime on victims. A few weeks ago, Boyd Hansen, 54, was shot in the face while having his morning coffee at home. He will live with this disfigurement for the rest of his life. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty and other politicians who choose to remain silent about this injustice are alienating residents who see these crimes as egregious and unacceptable.
Hansen’s story is just one of many that quickly fade from public attention as elected officials shift focus to initiatives like public art programs and unarmed “ambassadors” patrolling the streets from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. But the reality is that Minneapolis needs 24/7 policing by armed, well-trained professionals. The crime spree that led to Hansen’s shooting took place between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.
- Stop supporting candidates based solely on identity or party affiliation. The DFL, the mayor, and city council members must call for Jamal Osman to step down. As of this writing, no one is even challenging him for the Ward 6 seat. If the DFL were serious about accountability, they would be actively recruiting and supporting a strong opponent. By failing to do so, they give tacit approval to fraud and destructive identity politics.
The Feeding Our Future trial has further exposed Osman’s deep involvement in the scandal. His actions were unethical, if not outright illegal, and his continued presence on the council damages both the institution’s credibility and the reputation of the Somali community. As previously documented in this newsletter, his former nonprofit shell company, Stigma-Free International, helped siphon millions from the program. The idea that he and his wife—who served on Stigma-Free’s board and had her own nonprofit shut down by Attorney General Keith Ellison—were unaware of the fraud is an insult to the public’s intelligence.
If the DFL cannot recognize that Osman represents corruption and lawlessness, then the party’s moral authority is in serious question.
- Fight Fraud as though it Matters. At the February 19th Administration & Enterprise Oversight Committee meeting, Council Member Robin Wonsley repeatedly confused Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette and city staff by questioning the city’s advance payment policy for violence prevention nonprofits. She appeared to be asking how money could be distributed to these groups before their invoices were processed.
It’s worth noting that Wonsley is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), not the DFL. However, the ongoing controversy surrounding potential fraud in the program—along with the accusations flying between Wonsley, former department head Luana Nelson-Brown, and Barnette—has created a fog of disinformation and suspicion that must be addressed.
A starting point would be educating the public on why these programs exist and then providing clear evidence that they are achieving their intended outcomes. Right now, it’s difficult for residents to reconcile the millions spent on violence prevention contracts with the reality that murder and aggravated assault are up 58% and 30%, respectively since 2019.
The DFL must acknowledge that these programs alone will not reverse this trend. The long-term structural causes of crime are worth debating, but that conversation becomes secondary when the public is still reading about “crime sprees” that leave innocent bystanders shot at their breakfast tables.
Winning the Battle, Losing the War
It’s true that, at the local level, there have been victories for experimental policing alternatives, prosecution strategies, and community safety initiatives. While many of these efforts are well-intentioned and aim to correct past abuses, they must be reassessed. We need to take stock of the current situation and make necessary adjustments.
The DFL suffered major losses statewide in November, and if it cannot demonstrate progress in reducing violence and fraud in Minneapolis, the consequences could extend beyond the city. A Republican could replace Tina Smith in the Senate, and Minnesota could see a Republican governor succeed Tim Walz.
The DFL’s inaction and moral confusion are frustrating to watch. Infighting over fraud in the Neighborhood Safety Department, Jamal Osman’s blatant complicity in financial misconduct, and repeated acts of violence in the city continue to erode public trust. Voters are increasingly willing to elect a Republican wielding a chainsaw over a progressive Democrat who might actually help those in need.
The DFL can reverse this trend, but if they refuse to act, the resulting backlash will be theirs to own.
