On the other hand, following a November, 2019 investigation by a local news program, I-team 8, which found that African Americans received traffic tickets at eighteen times their rate in the local populations, Brainard declined an interview and stated "A large portion of our Asian population are Indians, which, through a car window would appear to be … a dark skin color [...] We talk with those folks all the time and they — I’ve never gotten a complaint they’re pulled over at any greater rate than anyone else". On June 1, 2020, in the wake of a nationwide outbreak of protests against police brutality and racism in policing, Brainard and the city of Carmel released a statement saying that they had retained outside counsel and had sought to sue the city of Minneapolis for alleged costs incurred in "increased security" as a result of said protests. In the press release, Brainard is quoted, stating "I encourage other cities to join us in this lawsuit for recovery of our costs. Those in power need to understand the far-reaching consequences of their actions". The threat made national news, and Brainard subsequently publicly retracted the city's plan that same day evening.