State Representative claims that he was pulled over for being Black
Police bodycam footage showing John Thompson at a traffic stop. (Saint Paul, MN/Minnesota House of Representatives)
A police officer pulls State Representative John Thompson (D) over. The officer saw him without a front license plate. The way that John Thompson took off from the light also caught the officer’s attention. In the video, the police officer hands Thompson his ticket. In response, Thompson claimed that the officer profiled him, and pulled him over, “for being black”.
Chances are good that the officer just saw a vehicle without a front license plate. Then he saw this vehicle take of from the stop light at an unusual speed. It may not have been until the officer walked up and saw John Thompson for the first time that the later was seen as Black.
From Fox News:
Thompson then asks in the video why he was pulled over, which the officer said was due to his car having “No front plate, and the way you took off from the light back there.”
“I’m too old to run from the police, man,” Thompson says. “You profiled me because you looked me dead in the face and I got a ticket for driving while Black. You pulled me over because you saw a Black face in this car, brother. There’s no way in hell I’m taking off with you behind me. … You looked in this car and busted a U-turn and got behind my car, and that’s the reason – ”
The officer then tells the state representative that the interaction is being recorded on a bodycam.
“I know. But what I’m saying is, what you’re doing is wrong, to Black men,” he says. “And you need to stop that. Thank you so much, but this ticket means nothing to me … What I’m saying to you is stop racially profiling Black men in their cars sir. Stop doing that.”
The officer argues he was not racially profiling him, and eventually tells Thompson to have a good night and walks away.
The bodycam footage does not have audio of the first 30 seconds between Thompson and the officer, and also does not show the lead-up to the traffic stop.
The bodycam footage was released after St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell demanded an apology from Thompson for accusing the officer of racially profiling him.
Fox News has the article here, and you could watch the video in this link.
Category: "Teh Stoopid", Police, Society
The video is cringe worthy.
Johnson was pulled over for a legitimate reason.
The bigger issue is the driver’s license which was suspended in Minnesota but while claiming he lived in Minnesota, he presented a Wisconsin license.
The Minnesota license was suspended for failure to pay child support.
I absolutely hate whiny politicians who think they can break the law and then claim they were the victim.
Race card played… aaaaaand DENIED!
No racial overtones intended, but would that denied Race Card be called a “Renege” like in Pinochle or Euchre?/s
Actually, I think “State Representative” is his pronoun, and he wanted to make sure the police officer knew it.
I got a ticket once for a missing front plate–am I black now?
So he renewed his WI DL in November, simultaneously he was being elected to represent St Paul in the MN House. He claims to have lived in MN for 18 years. He renewed his Wisconsin DL three times in the last 16 years.
MN state law requires someone to reside in the district before they can be on the ballot. He attested to the same. He’s lying to one state or the other. Since his WI DL would be sent to the address on the license and he obviously physically received said license, me thinks he’s lying to MN.
Will he resign? I doubt it. Will he be charged with the crimes of lying on state documents (either in MN or WI)? Doubt it.
In addition to his lies to the states of MN and WI, his driving privileges were suspended in MN for failure to pay child support. That only happens after a person is in arrears for three months. On top of all his lies, he’s a deadbeat dad.
He forgot to ad the coup de grace…Orange Man Bad.
Here in Florida, the governor can remove someone for not living in the district they represent.
So you are right – the scumbag lied to one state or another.
This has got nothing to do with race. It has to do with lying, a lack of morals, a lack of ethics, breaking the law, and “government privilege.”
He needs to go. He won’t, but he needs to.
PS – what is equally as stupid is that in Minnesota, the video of a traffic stop or police interaction with a single person cannot be released without the consent of the citizen.
Thompson thought his approval of the release of the video would show how “racist” the cop was.
The video was made on state owned equipment and should be public record for anyone to get a look at.
PPS -Thompson is claiming that because the cop did not issue a ticket for the missing front plate, that proves the stop was pretextual and that he was being profiled.
So because the cop exercised some discretion, that “proves” the cop was a racist.
Yeah. Right.
The way ol’ Poe sees it, he’s misrepresenting himself (lying) to both states, not one or the other.
Which, by the way, is a résumé enhancer for a Democrat politician.
Saw this much earlier and had snagged it to send in to Mason for the Dumb Crook News. Mute point now, so that’s good. Comment section from the article is solid gold too. 12K and climbing.
Self entitled POS.
Typical, the first thing he did was play his ACME® Race Card™️ followed by his Victim Card and BOTH were denied! Maybe he needs to get caught up on those Child Support Payments?
Oops, that’s “…Victim Card™️…”
I guess the LEO didn’t follow the fergusin effect. If he did, this wouldn’t be making the news.
So now the local thugs and vermin are wondering what they’re going to riot about tonight?
Well, the video shows that it was activated at 0130 hours, or 01:30am for those of you in Rio Linda. Having spent most of 27 years on either the 2nd shift or 3d shift of a PD, I can attest to the fact that it’s almost impossible to determine the race/sex of the driver of a vehicle ahead of one, until the red and blue lights are turned on and the spotlight and take-down lights are turned on. So, this out of state, state rep is full of shit.
Anyone with eyes and honesty can attest to the same.
This Officer stepped into a pre-made sh*tshow and came out the other side unturdified.
The “Rep” on the other hand…I hope karma gets that mf.
This guy is a seven-layer shitbag.
Too bad the ticketing officer is now fucked. All he did was do his job. The Tree of Liberty looks depressingly withered.
Why is it that legislators who are Black but have an (R) after their name don’t ever seem to get racially profiled? Can cops now tell, at night, past oncoming headlights or through heavily tinted windows both the color and political party of the driver?
Commend you on great race war post besig.
Making vets here feel comfortable with hard hitting journalism each week.
So we can assume you approve of the good representative’s actions? You’re ok with your elected officials possibly committing fraud, and definitely committing first degree douchebaggery?
Well no SFC,
I think its only fair for Besig to continue his impressive record of mocking black folks and targetting them with his iconic post.
I am giving him a bravo here.
C2Show: Well no SFC,
Let me rephrase that for SFC.
Do you approve of Representative John Thompson’s accusing the police officer of racial profiling? YES [ ] NO [ ]
Was it reasonable for the police officer to pull Representative John Thompson over for not having a front license plate and for taking off in an unusual manner? YES [ ] NO [ ]
Copy and paste these two questions to your reply, then place an “X” in the box that represents your reply. Spare me any additional answers you’d want to add.
C2Show: I think its only fair for Besig to continue his impressive record of mocking black folks and targetting them with his iconic post.
Is generating a blog post, based on other articles (linked in the post) about the actions of someone that showed a moving and non moving traffic violation, “mocking Black folks”? YES [ ] NO [ ]
When I posted articles about White individuals reported to have committed a crime, was I “mocking” White folks and “targeting” them with those posts? YES [ ] NO [ ]
Copy and paste these questions to your reply. Place an “X” in the box that represents your responses. Spare me any additional responses that you’d want to give to the yes or no option.
C2Show: I am giving him a bravo here.
No, you’re demonstrating that you got triggered over the post that I made on a Democrat who got pulled over for both a moving and non moving traffic violation. There’s an excellent chance that the officer did not know what he looked like until he walked up to the window. The Democrat subsequently proceeded to not behave the way one is supposed to behave when stopped, and he refused to demonstrate accountability and responsibility.
C2Show: Commend you on great race war post besig.
Where, in the above post, do I make a statement intending to start a “great race war”? Could you quote my exact statement, above, that constitutes “instigating a race war”?
C2Show: Making vets here feel comfortable with hard hitting journalism each week.
You don’t speak for the rest of the veterans, or posting community, on this website. I don’t seem to find a problem from the others when I generate posts like this.
I turned the incident into a meme:
Or, do you prefer this one?
Is nature trying to start a race war?
What the Wisconsinite refugee meant to say is that he was elected for being black but had to go to Minnesota to get elected.
Where is bruthafucka Ilhan? Where is Keef Muhammad Farrakkklan Ellison?
Ain’t nobody comin’ to brutha John’s aid, rescue or defense?
Gotta wonder, WI license and MN license plates? What insurance commissioner would let such a disparity slip through the system?
So many false statements in the chain of misrepresentations, yet, John Thompson is “representative” of Minnesota. Mmm, mmm, mmm, the content of his character is unimpeachable.
Cocksucker.
An article I read about this also stated the rep has a suspended license in MN. While that is possible, reciprocity standards indicate that WI would also suspend his license if that were the case. A standard check of the data base would show the MN suspension at DMV. I also read the rep is under investigation for ethics due to the WI license issue and residence questions. TBA I suppose.
Having pulled over thousands of vehicles. It is also virtually impossible to determine skin color of the driver even during the day especially due to the preponderance of window tint on cars today.
He tried the victim card, that didn’t work…so he dusted off the last card in the deck: THE RACE CARD. Too bad the body cam showed THAT was a lie. But, since he’s the appropriate party (read: DEM). Nothing will happen.
Hmm, WI vs MI drivers license and residency.
I think that Suspended license aside, I would love to see in which state he filed state tax return. Both have graduated state income tax tables:
WI Between: 4.00% – 7.65%
MI Between: 5.35% – 9.85%.
Also, if a white person gets pulled over by a black officer, can they claim racial profiling. or is it just part of their privilege. Asking for a friend.
Asshat should have long ago been charged with inciting violence. From FOX News:
“This whole god d–n state burned down for 20 god d–n dollars, you think we give a f–k about burning Hugo down? Now you running your coward a– back into the garage,” state Rep. John Thompson said during a protest outside of police union president Bob Kroll’s house in Hugo, Minnesota, last August.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/minnesota-driving-while-black-floyd-burning-town
This story brings back memories of 2LT Caron Nazario.
Remember him?
https://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=112500
https://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=112535&cpage=1
Well, guess what. This past May, the LT Who Wears A Goatee While In Uniform was found GUILTY of speeding charges thar incurred in the November 2020 timeframe:
“Caron Nazario Found Guilty For November Ticket In Windsor”
https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/caron-nazario-found-guilty-for-november-ticket-in-windsor/
Wonder if Nazario is still serving as a 2LT in the Virginia National Guard????
Both Nazario and Thompson deserve a protracted public spanking with a very wide piece of lumber and hopefully, the VNG have divested themselves of Nazario…
You think that’s bad? ZZ Top was Arrested for Driving While Blind!
Wonder if he voted in his “home state of Wisconsin”. He had to jump through several hoops each time (3) he renewed his Wisconsin drivers license… wonder if there will be any legal repercussions by Wisconsin. Here’s what it took for him to renew: If the following documentation is not included with your application, we will be unable to complete your renewal. A letter stating when you left Wisconsin, when you will return to Wisconsin and why you are temporarily out of state. Also include in the letter your temporary out-of-state mailing address and your telephone number or email address, should we need to contact you. Please also let us know if you would like to receive notification when your license or ID has been processed (email address is required). A photo copy of a document (other than your driver license), listing your name and current Wisconsin address, to provide proof of your residency, such as: A utility bill for water, gas, electricity or landline telephone service issued within the last 90 days. Cable or similar bundles of services that include landline telephone service is included in this category. Cell phone bills issued in the last 90 days. An account statement from a bank/financial institution or brokerage house issued within the last 90 days. This includes savings, checking, money market and brokerage accounts. Deed/title, mortgage, rental/lease agreement for Wisconsin property (lease must include landlord’s name and phone number). Current valid homeowner’s, renter’s or motor vehicle insurance policy dated within one year of application. Government-issued correspondence or product issued from a federal, state, county or city agency (issued within the last year). Not acceptable are the Quest and Forward card. Valid Wisconsin hunting or fishing license. A photo copy of a document to provide proof of your identity, such as: A valid (or expired less than eight years) WI driver license. A valid (or expired less than eight years) WI ID card. Certified copy of a Marriage Certificate or Judgment of Divorce. Social Security Card issued by the Social Security Administration. TSA Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC card). A valid photo… Read more »