Nicole Mitchell, a Minnesota state Senator, has been removed from her committee assignments and caucus meetings while facing burglary allegations. The Senate majority leader, Sen. Erin Murphy, announced this decision as the legal investigation into the allegations continues. Mitchell, a Democrat representing part of the eastern Twin Cities, was charged with burglary after being found in the basement of her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes. She allegedly confessed to breaking into the home to retrieve her father’s ashes and other sentimental items after her stepmother stopped speaking to her. Mitchell denied the allegations on social media, claiming she was at the house to check on a family member with Alzheimer’s.
The Detroit Lakes Police Chief confirmed that the alleged burglary and Mitchell’s arrest were caught on body cameras, but the footage cannot be released due to state law. Senate Republicans filed an ethics complaint against Mitchell after she was charged, and some, including Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, have called for her resignation. Mitchell, who has a background as a TV meteorologist and a commander with the Air National Guard, was elected in 2022 and is currently serving her first term in office. The legal investigation into the burglary allegations is ongoing, and the case has been referred to the Senate Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct for review.
Mitchell expressed disappointment in the handling of the complaint, stating that important context was missing from the incident, such as her long-standing relationship with the other person involved. She emphasized that she deeply cares about the person and was at the house for a legitimate reason. Despite Mitchell’s denial of the allegations, she will remain relieved of her committee assignments and removed from caucus meetings until the legal investigation concludes. The situation has been described as tragic by Senator Murphy, who acknowledged that there are still questions that need to be answered in this case.
As the investigation into the burglary allegations against Senator Mitchell continues, the political fallout has resulted in her removal from important roles within the Senate. The case has sparked controversy and calls for resignation from some of her colleagues. Mitchell’s background as a TV meteorologist and military commander adds complexity to the situation, but the focus remains on the legal and ethical implications of the burglary charges. The Senate Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct will review the case, and Mitchell’s future in office will depend on the outcome of the investigation.
