St. Paul police say Rep. John Thompson “bullied” and intimidated officers as they tried to investigate his adult daughter during a DUI traffic stop.
Thompson’s 26-year-old daughter was found to be driving without a license and apparently under the influence of drugs, but her father arrived on scene and officers allowed him to take her away rather than placing her under arrest, according to sources.
Thompson’s daughter was pulled over for a moving violation in St. Paul on Sunday. She refused to roll her window down and identify herself to police, according to a report obtained by Alpha News. However, officers learned who she was when Rep. Thompson arrived on scene, “stating that [the driver] was his daughter and [is] afraid of police,” per the report.
A source recalled Thompson’s chaotic arrival on scene to Alpha News: “Thompson drives up to the scene, parks illegally [and] starts yelling at officers right away.” He also reportedly handed out his business card to officers.
“Our officers were bullied by a state representative who tried to use his elected position and false claims of racism to intimidate,” St. Paul police spokesperson Steve Linders told Alpha News. Thompson’s behavior “put our officers, who were trying to keep our streets safe for everyone, in an incredibly difficult position,” he continued. “No one should ever be bullied by an elected official. No one should have to endure being called a racist without provocation or proof.”
UPDATE 2/2: @sppdmn encourages Thompson to release the footage since he is allowed to do so. State law prohibits them from taking that step. Also adding that no officers should be put in the position they were put in yesterday by a state official.
— Liz Collin (@lizcollin) April 25, 2022
Eventually, the daughter “rolled the window down enough to identify herself to officers” and “was found to not have a valid driver’s license,” according to the report. An officer on scene “could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle … and believed she was operating the vehicle while under the influence.”
At that time, “it was determined [that police] would attempt to talk [the daughter] into cooperating with the investigation, but if she refused she would be charged out of custody for test refusal,” per the report. The report goes on to explain that “she did not want to cooperate with officers, but wanted to leave with her father,” and that her wishes were honored. Police have requested charges for DWI test refusal and obstructing the legal process.
Alpha News reached out to Thompson seeking a comment but has not received a response.
This is not the first time Thompson has generated headlines. His Democratic colleagues have asked him to resign, citing years of abuse allegations, and he was involved in a controversial traffic stop himself last summer.
This article was updated after publication to include new comments from the St. Paul Police Department.
Kyle Hooten
Kyle Hooten is Managing Editor of Alpha News. His coverage of Minneapolis has been featured on television shows like Tucker Carlson Tonight and in print media outlets like the Wall Street Journal.
