Overview
- Governor Tim Walz announced Tuesday that he appointed retired Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill to chair the Governor’s Council on Recording the Truth of Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS and released the full 13‑member list.
- The council was created by Executive Order 26‑05 to collect testimony, video, data and other records from people affected by the federal operations and to create a lasting public record.
- The state contracted The Advocates for Human Rights to gather stories and allowed the ACLU of Minnesota and The Advocates each to appoint a council member, but the panel will have no power to prosecute or award compensation.
- Minnesota officials say the operations involved detentions of children, use of chemical agents, civil‑rights violations and large economic losses, and there are separate ongoing legal steps including a federal lawsuit and criminal charges against two federal agents.
- Federal agencies defend the enforcement surge as a major operation that apprehended more than 4,000 people, and the council’s public hearings and fall report could shape state policy, influence the pending cases, and affect community recovery.