Anoka Times

Rep. Harry Niska, a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, used his Twitter account on July 17, 2025, to comment on criminal justice policies and courtroom strategies.

In a post published at 13:31 UTC, Niska criticized recent changes in state policy regarding early release for certain offenders. He wrote, "These are the types of criminals that are being released early because of the reckless policies of the Walz/DFL trifecta." In a follow-up tweet posted seconds later at 13:31 UTC, he added, "Story here https://t.co/cRlO3FAG2D", providing a link to additional information related to his statement.

Later that day, at 20:32 UTC, Niska commented on witness credibility during legal proceedings. He stated, "Testifying that 'I lied to save my own skin, and I actually lie a lot, but I'm not lying now' is not the ideal trial strategy."

Rep. Harry Niska represents District 31A in Minnesota. His posts referenced policies associated with Governor Tim Walz and the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party majority in Minnesota's state government. The "Walz/DFL trifecta" refers to unified Democratic control over the governorship and both legislative chambers since January 2023.

Recent criminal justice reforms enacted by the Walz administration and DFL lawmakers have included changes to sentencing guidelines and parole eligibility aimed at reducing incarceration rates ([source](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/05/18/minnesota-legislature-criminal-justice-reform)). These changes have been debated within the state legislature and among public officials regarding their potential impact on public safety.