The law firm Minneapolis assistant police chief Katie Blackwell is using to sue Alpha News is run by a Democratic activist—who calls himself a friend of Attorney General Keith Ellison and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
Blackwell filed a defamation lawsuit against Alpha News last week, objecting to her portrayal in the documentary “The Fall of Minneapolis.” The film features an excerpt of Blackwell testifying during the trial of Derek Chauvin in her own words.
“The lawsuit is garbage. Garbage belongs in the trash,” said attorney Chris Madel, who is representing Alpha News and two of its writers named in the suit. “This lawsuit is just embarrassing for the legal profession.”
In her lawsuit, Blackwell accused Alpha News of being “extremists” who carried out a “politically motivated attack” against her.
Representing Blackwell in her lawsuit against Alpha News is Jennifer Moore, an attorney with Trautmann Martin Law, PLLC. That Minneapolis law firm is headed by Simon Trautmann, a member of the Richfield City Council and former candidate for Hennepin County Attorney.
Trautmann can be seen in several social media posts with some of the most left-wing Democrats that Minnesota has to offer. Among those political figures, Trautmann prominently displays his affinity for Congresswoman Omar, Attorney General Ellison, and many others.
In social media posts which featured a picture of himself and Omar, Trautmann described the congresswoman as a “friend.” Earlier this year, he promoted and said he planned to attend a “get out the vote” effort in support of Omar that was attended by U.S. Sens. Tina Smith and Bernie Sanders. He also posted about door-knocking for Ellison’s 2022 reelection campaign.
Back in the summer of 2018, Trautmann voiced his support for Omar’s election to Congress and said she “brideges [sic] difference and gets things done.”
Around that same time, Trautmann replied to a post from Ellison that featured a photo of the pair. In his reply, Trautmann said in part: “Great to see you friend.”
Trautmann has voiced his support for Ellison many times. Last year, Trautmann uploaded a photo of himself and Ellison and described the attorney general as a “fantastic lawyer and leader.” In that photo, Trautmann is holding a copy of Ellison’s “Break the Wheel: Ending the Cycle of Police Violence,” in which Ellison recounts his office’s prosecution of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. In other posts, Trautmann has expressed appreciation for Ellison’s various efforts.
Additionally, Trautmann praised Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman after attending an “event in her honor” and said Gov. Tim Walz’s “politics of joy will be a blessing to our country.” Trautmann heaped praise upon Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty as well, saying that he was “very hopeful for the future of our community and county attorney’s office under Mary Moriarty’s leadership.”
In fact, the social media post indicates that Trautmann attended an “inaugural celebration fundraiser” for Moriarty. In another, he praised Moriarty for hiring St. Thomas law professor Mark Osler, who signed the criminal complaint in Moriarty’s unsuccessful prosecution of Trooper Ryan Londregan.
Other posts from Trautmann show him voicing support for left-wing city council candidates in the metro area and attending the Minnesota DFL’s Humphrey-Mondale Dinner.
In 2022, Trautmann ran for Hennepin County Attorney, but later withdrew from the race. Moriarty eventually won the office. Trautmann was elected to the Richfield City Council in 2020. He opted not to seek reelection this year.
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
