Power Grab/Fire anyone who can stop him
The Justice Department fires the Minnesota prosecutor who was investigating an ICE officer for a shooting
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Evans was fired on or before September 3, 2026, 4 sources told CBS News; no official reason has been given.
What happened
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Evans of Minnesota, who had been investigating ICE officer Christian Castro for possible civil rights crimes, was fired, 4 sources told CBS News on September 3, 2026. The investigation concerned the January 2026 shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis.
ProPublica had reported on September 2 that Evans told the victim’s lawyers that Main Justice and the U.S. attorney had directed that Castro face only false-statement charges, over his objection. A grand jury indicted Castro on 6 counts on September 2, and he was arrested in Texas on September 3.
CBS reported that Evans was under Justice Department investigation, 2 sources citing alleged leaking. The Associated Press reported a source describing alleged obstruction of a grand jury probe. No official reason has been given for the firing, and the Justice Department has not said whether the investigation of Evans is related to it.
Who benefited
The leadership that directed a false-statements-only charge no longer has an assistant U.S. attorney in Minnesota objecting to it. Evans was fired a day after his email became public. The 6-count indictment against Castro stands as the charge on the docket.
Who wanted something
Main Justice and the U.S. attorney wanted Castro charged with false statements only. Evans’ email said they directed it. The Justice Department has given no reason for his firing, and the accounts of an investigation into him cite leaking and grand jury obstruction.
Who lost out
Matthew Evans lost his job after objecting to the charging decision, and he is under Justice Department investigation. CBS cited 2 sources for alleged leaking, and AP cited a source for alleged obstruction of a grand jury probe. Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, the man who was shot, lost the prosecutor who was pursuing a civil rights case.
Why it matters
The prosecutor who objected to the charging decision was fired the day after the objection became public. ProPublica published Evans’ email on September 2; CBS reported his firing on September 3. No reason has been given, and the accounts of the investigation into him differ.
Sources CBS NewsProPublicaAssociated Press (via Philadelphia Inquirer)