Challenges in the Life of Keith Ellison in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Keith Ellison faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Keith Ellison is an American politician and lawyer, currently serving as the 30th attorney general of Minnesota since 2019. Prior to this role, he was the U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district from 2007 to 2019. He also served as Deputy Chair of the Democratic National Committee (2017-2018) and as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2003-2007). He is a member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL).

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1988: Glock Aware of Modification Issue Since 1988

Keith Ellison's lawsuit, filed in December 2024, alleges that Glock has been aware since 1988 that its guns can easily be modified into fully automatic weapons but has refused to change the design.

1992: Failure to Pay Income Taxes

Between 1992 and 2000, Keith Ellison failed to pay all or part of his income taxes in five separate years, which led to the state and Internal Revenue Service to put liens on his home. He later paid over $18,000.

2000: Failure to Pay Income Taxes

2002: Reprimand by Minnesota State Campaign Finance Board

In early 2006, Keith Ellison was reprimanded by the Minnesota State Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board for events alleged in 2002-04.

2005: Investigation and Fines by Campaign Finance Board

In 2005, the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board opened an investigation into Keith Ellison, resulting in him being subpoenaed and fined repeatedly for late filings. He was also sued twice by the Attorney General of Minnesota and warned about absent or incomplete disclosures.

November 14, 2006: Glenn Beck Interview

On November 14, 2006, Glenn Beck of CNN Headline News questioned Keith Ellison, asking him to prove he was not working with America's enemies. Ellison affirmed his patriotism and love for the country in response.

2006: Controversy over Nation of Islam Involvement

During Keith Ellison's 2006 campaign, Republican blogger Michael Brodkorb revealed posts about Ellison's Minnesota Daily articles and his involvement with the Nation of Islam, leading Ellison to denounce the Nation of Islam and Farrakhan in a letter to the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota & the Dakotas.

2006: Fundraiser Controversy

During the 2006 election, Nihad Awad and James Yee spoke at an August 25 fundraiser for Keith Ellison. Ellison faced criticism for accepting contributions from CAIR leaders, with his Republican opponent Alan Fine alleging CAIR's ties to terrorism. Ellison defended his actions by stating he disclosed all contributions and was supported by individuals, not the organization itself.

2006: Misconduct Allegations

In 2006, environmental activist Amy Alexander alleged that she had been in a romantic relationship with Keith Ellison while he was married and that he had pushed, shoved, and verbally abused her. Ellison denied the accusations.

2006: Reprimand by Minnesota State Campaign Finance Board

In early 2006, Keith Ellison was reprimanded by the Minnesota State Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board for events alleged in 2002-04.

January 8, 2007: Ellison responds to Iraq War troop surge proposal

On January 8, 2007, when asked by the Associated Press for his reaction to Bush's proposal for an Iraq War troop surge, Ellison stated that it was "way too late, way too little" and advocated for beginning to end the occupation, favoring political, economic, and diplomatic engagement over military solutions.

January 10, 2007: Bush announces Iraq War troop surge

On January 10, 2007, President Bush announced his plans for the Iraq War troop surge of 2007. This announcement followed comments from Ellison on January 8, expressing that the surge was "way too late, way too little" and calling for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq.

June 28, 2007: Ellison cosponsors bill to impeach Dick Cheney

On June 28, 2007, Ellison cosponsored Representative Dennis Kucinich's bill to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney for "high crimes and misdemeanors". Ellison's spokesperson clarified that the effort primarily aimed to send a message about the importance of the rule of law.

February 19, 2009: Ellison visits Gaza to view destruction from Gaza War

On February 19, 2009, Ellison, along with Representative Brian Baird, visited Gaza to assess the damage from the Gaza War and meet with relief agencies, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. This visit was the first by any U.S. government official to Gaza in over three years.

November 2016: Controversy over Foreign Policy Comments and Allegations of Anti-Semitism

In November 2016, a 2010 speech by Keith Ellison was published, raising concerns about his views on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and his stance on Israel. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed concerns, and some donors accused him of anti-Semitism. This led to what some reporters described as a smear campaign, though others defended his record on pro-Israel policies.

2016: Opposition to DNC Chair Candidacy

In 2016, some Democrats opposed Keith Ellison's candidacy for DNC chair due to concerns about his ability to devote himself to the position full-time and ideological differences, mirroring the division between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders supporters.

2017: Ellison open to impeachment process against Donald Trump

In 2017, Ellison expressed openness to demands for initiating an impeachment process against President Donald Trump, stating that Trump had already taken actions that legitimately raised the question of impeachment.

2017: Campaign for Democratic National Committee Chairmanship

In 2017, Keith Ellison garnered national attention in his campaign for the Democratic National Committee chairmanship, gaining support from progressive groups and senators Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer. However, his past statements and affiliation with the Nation of Islam drew criticism, and he lost to Tom Perez, who subsequently appointed him deputy chair.

2017: Run for DNC Chairmanship

In 2017, after Donna Brazile resigned, Keith Ellison ran for the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee, along with other candidates. Ellison was a top contender and viewed as a progressive alternative. The race was seen by some as a proxy battle between the Clinton and Sanders factions of the party.

December 4, 2019: Ellison sued JUUL

On December 4, 2019, Keith Ellison sued e-cigarette company JUUL for allegedly targeting children and teenagers with their products and advertisements.

2019: Lawsuit against Bloomington over filming ban at Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center

In 2019, Bloomington passed an ordinance against filming students at Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in a public park, resulting in a lawsuit that successfully reinstated First Amendment rights in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Ellison had requested the court to drop the case.

March 2020: Sparboe Farms Triples Egg Prices

In March 2020, Sparboe Farms tripled its egg prices during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a lawsuit filed by Keith Ellison, which was later settled in September 2021.

October 2020: Investigation into Atlas Aegis Launched

In October 2020, Keith Ellison launched an investigation into Atlas Aegis, a private security company, over concerns that armed guards patrolling polling places could intimidate voters. He later secured a legally binding agreement preventing the company's plans.

2020: Increase in Automatic Gunshots in Minneapolis in 2020

According to ShotSpotter data cited in Keith Ellison's December 2024 lawsuit, there were 154 automatic gunshots detected in Minneapolis in 2020.

November 2021: Joined investigation into Meta

In November 2021, Keith Ellison joined a bipartisan group of attorneys general to investigate Meta, the owner of Instagram, for potential harm to young people's mental health.

2021: Firearm Sold by Fleet Farm Used in Shooting

In 2021, one of the firearms allegedly sold negligently by Fleet Farm was used in a shooting that killed one Minnesotan and injured 14 others, according to Keith Ellison's lawsuit filed on October 5, 2022.

2021: Automatic Gunshot Incidents Increase in 2021

Keith Ellison's lawsuit, filed in December 2024, notes that ShotSpotter detected 2,033 automatic gunshots in Minneapolis in 2021, a significant increase from the previous year.

February 2022: Ellison Sues Havenbrook Homes

In February 2022, Keith Ellison sued Havenbrook Homes for allegedly failing to make necessary repairs to rental properties, leaving tenants in poor living conditions.

October 5, 2022: Ellison Sues Fleet Farm

On October 5, 2022, Keith Ellison sued Fleet Farm for negligently selling firearms to gun traffickers, alleging they ignored warning signs.

2022: Further Increase in Automatic Gunshot Incidents in 2022

In 2022, ShotSpotter detected 3,024 automatic gunshots in Minneapolis, according to data cited in Keith Ellison's lawsuit filed in December 2024.

March 28, 2023: Lawsuit against JUUL goes to trial

On March 28, 2023, the lawsuit against JUUL went to trial, making Minnesota the first state to do so. Ellison began the opening argument by accusing JUUL and Altria of addicting Minnesotan children to e-cigarettes for profit.

October 2023: Ellison Sues Meta

In October 2023, Keith Ellison and a bipartisan group of attorneys general sued Meta for knowingly deploying features, such as infinite scroll and constant alerts, to increase youth engagement on Instagram at the cost of their mental health.

November 2023: Ellison Sues Agri Stats

In November 2023, Keith Ellison sued Agri Stats for allegedly sharing competitively sensitive information with meat processors, leading to anti-competitive practices and price increases.

2023: Motion to Dismiss Fleet Farm Case Defeated

In 2023, Keith Ellison successfully defeated Fleet Farm's motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed against them for negligently selling firearms to gun traffickers.

2023: Automatic Gunshot Incidents Remain High in 2023

ShotSpotter data from Minneapolis showed 2,595 automatic gunshots detected in 2023, as mentioned in Keith Ellison's lawsuit filed in December 2024.

December 2024: Ellison Sues Glock

In December 2024, Keith Ellison sued firearm manufacturer Glock, alleging the company violated state laws by knowingly selling semi-automatic pistols that can easily be converted into illegal, fully automatic weapons.

January 15, 2025: Ellison Sues High Light Vapes

On January 15, 2025, Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against High Light Vapes, a company producing vapes designed to resemble highlighters, intending to make them easier for teenagers to conceal.

August 2025: Ellison sues TikTok

In August 2025, Keith Ellison announced he was suing TikTok for designing its app to addict young users at the cost of their mental health. The lawsuit also alleges that features like infinite scroll and excessive push notifications prey on the underdeveloped parts of young people's brains.

October 2025: Fleet Farm Case Proceeds to Trial

In October 2025, Keith Ellison announced that he had defeated Fleet Farm's motion for summary judgment, meaning the case would go to trial.

2025: Lawsuit Against Executive Order 14187

In 2025, Keith Ellison joined other state attorneys general in a lawsuit against Executive Order 14187, which banned federal funding for gender-affirming care for minors.