Thomas B. Heffelfinger

Investigation of the shooting deaths of 10 people at a school at the Red Lake Indian Reservation on March 21, 2005, absorbed much of his time in the subsequent 11 months.

[3] The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that it was unusual that "the former U.S. attorney for Minnesota, Thomas Heffelfinger, was not invited" to Paulose's swearing-in ceremony.

Heffelfinger was angry at the Department of Justice for targeting him for dismissal[5] because of his preoccupation with Indian affairs issues.

"[7] Circumstantial evidence suggests that Heffelfinger was targeted for dismissal as a consequence of his positions on tribal voting in Minnesota.

Attorneys, calling President Donald Trump "a threat to the rule of law in our country" and endorsing Joe Biden.