Merrick Garland, the US attorney general, visits Fargo to talk about funding for state law enforcement agencies

Fargo, North Dakota – The U.S. Attorney General’s Office’s senior officials traveled to Fargo to discuss the investments being made in public safety throughout North Dakota.

Before a meeting today behind closed doors, US Attorney General Merrick Garland discussed investments being made in public safety. Garland underscored the recent financial commitments made by the US Department of Justice to North Dakota prosecutors and native communities.

“The Justice Department recognizes that our state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners are on the front lines of keeping our communities safe. We also recognize just how much is being asked every single day of the officers. Their jobs are difficult. We now see how dangerous they are, and they demand enormous sacrifices from both the officers and their families.,” said Merrick Garland.

The Attorney General also made a brief mention of programs for officer safety and wellbeing, the investigation of fentanyl trafficking rings, and other initiatives aimed at assisting law enforcement organizations.

Nearly a dozen protestors gathered outside the Federal Building in Downtown Fargo to show their support for more money for initiatives aimed at resolving the murders and disappearances of indigenous people. One of the attendees, Tracey L. Wilkie, held a sign that read “Free Leonard Peltier” in one hand and a picture of Stella Marie Trottier-Graves in the other. Community members claim that numerous individuals who were crucial to the investigation were not questioned right away as part of the investigation after Trottier-Graves’ death was discovered in a tribal member’s pickup.

“It will be 13 years next month that she was murdered on our reservation, on the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. Somebody knows something [and] unfortunately the federal people have to investigate. I don’t believe they are doing enough, ” said Wilkie.