Minnesota Lawmaker Claims He Was Cited for Race; Police Release Body Cam

Minnesota state Rep. John Thompson seated inside his vehicle on July 4 following a traffic stop. Courtesy of St. Paul Police

Authorities in Minnesota have released the body camera footage of a traffic stop involving a state lawmaker who claimed he was pulled over and ticketed by an officer because of his race.

The video, released by the City of St. Paul, shows state Rep. John Thompson, a Democrat, being pulled over on July 4 after midnight, with the officer citing a missing front license plate and speeding as the reasons for the traffic stop.