Minnesota Senate hears motion to expel Senator Nicole Mitchell; procedural appeal upheld 33-33, no expulsion vote

Senator Rasmussen moved on Jan. 27, 2025, that the Minnesota Senate expel Senator Nicole Mitchell under Article 4, section 7 of the Minnesota Constitution, saying Mitchell faces felony burglary charges and that her conduct and later actions to delay a criminal trial warrant removal from the chamber.

The motion came during the Senate’s floor session after the body returned from recess. Rasmussen said: “Pursuant to Article 4, section 7 of the constitution of the state of Minnesota, I move that Senator Nicole Mitchell be expelled from the Minnesota Senate, effective immediately, and that a vacancy in the office for Senate District 47 be declared.” He told colleagues the allegations stem from an incident on April 22 in which police found Mitchell in a home basement and quoted police reports that led to her arrest.

Rasmussen argued the charges — which he described as felony burglary and terrorizing an elderly family member — and what he said was Mitchell’s subsequent use of her office to delay court proceedings constituted ethical…