Joseph H. Thompson has been appointed by President Donald J. Trump as the Acting United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota. Thompson, a seasoned federal prosecutor with sixteen years of experience, expressed his gratitude for the appointment, stating, “I am honored and humbled to be asked to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota.” He emphasized his commitment to tackling violent crime, fentanyl distribution, and fraud in state government programs.
Thompson's career includes significant roles in both Illinois and Minnesota. Since 2014, he has worked in Minnesota where he served as Chief of the Fraud & Public Corruption section. In this capacity, he led efforts against fraud targeting state and federal programs, notably spearheading the Feeding Our Future investigation recognized as the largest Covid-19 fraud case by the Department of Justice.
From 2023 to 2024, Thompson was part of a Special Counsel team investigating classified document mishandling at locations linked to President Joseph R. Biden. His earlier tenure from 2009 to 2014 in Chicago involved prosecuting street gangs and drug cartels among other cases.
Throughout his career, Thompson has participated in over twenty jury trials across various areas of federal prosecution and argued numerous cases before appellate courts. His contributions have earned him several awards including the 2024 Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service related to elder fraud prosecution.
In addition to his prosecutorial work, Thompson has taught law at the University of Minnesota Law School and provided trial advocacy training at the Department of Justice’s National Advocacy Center.
Before entering public service, Thompson practiced privately in Chicago and clerked for judges including Honorable Rebecca R. Pallmeyer. A native Minnesotan, he holds degrees from Gustavus Adolphus College and Stanford Law School.
