DFL chair says he’s ‘disappointed’ Rep. Thompson accused St. Paul police of racial profiling

The DFL Party chairman issued a statement Sunday evening in response to the latest controversy surrounding Rep. John Thompson.

Thompson made headlines recently after he accused a St. Paul police officer of racial profiling during a traffic stop. According to a police report, the St. Paul representative was pulled over on July 4 for driving without a front license plate.

St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell responded to Thompson’s acusations, saying the traffic stop had nothing to do with race after watching a video of the encounter. He also asked Thompson for an apology.

In a statement, DFL Chairman Ken Martin said he was "disappointed" in Thompson’s claims.

"Nobody is above the law, including our elected officials. We expect all of our elected officials, regardless of party, to not only follow the law, but to hold themselves to the highest standards," Martin said. "Whether they like it or not, their words, actions, and behavior are going to be scrutinized by the public. As such it is important for people in positions of power and influence to model the type of behavior we expect from everyone."

Questions still remain about Thompson’s residency and whether he can hold office in the Minnesota Legislature while he tells officials in Wisconsin he lives across state lines.

Police say when Thompson was pulled over, he handed the officer a Wisconsin driver’s license. Police said officers then learned Thompson’s Minnesota driving privileges were suspended in 2019 for failing to pay child support.

A check of records by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS indicates Thompson’s driving privileges were reinstated Wednesday. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety said they were reinstated after his child support obligations were fulfilled. However, a spokesman for DPS confirmed Thompson doesn’t have a Minnesota license as required for anyone living in the state for 60 days.

Thompson has not responded to requests for comment.