MINNEAPOLIS — The Department of Justice has officially launched a criminal
investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, alleging the two leaders conspired to impede federal immigration enforcement during an unprecedented surge of enforcement activity in the state.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the DOJ issued subpoenas on Friday for both Walz and Frey. The investigation focuses on whether the leaders’ public rhetoric and the city’s “sanctuary” ordinances have crossed the line from political disagreement into criminal obstruction. Specifically, federal prosecutors are examining a potential violation of a federal conspiracy statute, suggesting that the leaders’ actions may have actively hindered the operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
A State in Turmoil
The federal probe marks a dramatic escalation in the standoff between the Trump administration and Minnesota leadership. For weeks, the Twin Cities have been the epicenter of “Operation Metro Surge,” a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiative that has deployed nearly 3,000 federal agents to the region. The administration has described the surge as a necessary response to rampant immigration fraud and a failure by local officials to honor ICE detainers.
Tensions reached a breaking point on January 7, 2026, following the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a Minneapolis resident, by an ICE officer. The death sparked widespread protests and led Mayor Frey to publicly demand that ICE “leave the city and state immediately.” Governor Walz has also been vocal, labeling the federal tactics as “authoritarian” and accusing the administration of using the Justice Department to target political opponents.
Allegations of Obstruction
The DOJ’s investigation appears to center on the theory that Walz and Frey’s non-cooperation policies have created a dangerous environment for federal agents. DHS officials have pointed to several instances where individuals with active ICE detainers were released from Hennepin County custody.
“Tim Walz and Jacob Frey’s dangerous sanctuary policies directly release criminal illegal aliens from jails and put them back on the streets,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a recent statement. The administration argues that by refusing to coordinate with federal agents and by making public statements that allegedly encourage resistance, the leaders are effectively interfering with the execution of federal law.
Critics of the investigation, however, argue that the DOJ is being “weaponized” to silence dissent. Governor Walz’s office released a statement Friday evening calling the probe a “dangerous, authoritarian tactic” designed to intimidate leaders who stand up for their communities. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has already filed a federal lawsuit against the DHS, calling the surge an “unconstitutional federal invasion” and a violation of the Tenth Amendment.
Legal and Political Implications
The move to subpoena a sitting governor and mayor is nearly unprecedented in modern American history. Legal experts suggest that the DOJ will have a high bar to clear to prove a “conspiracy to impede.” They must demonstrate not just that Walz and Frey disagreed with federal policy, but that they took specific, overt actions to prevent federal agents from performing their duties.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Minneapolis remains volatile. The city has reported over $2 million in police overtime costs due to the chaos surrounding the federal operations. Residents have reported instances of racial profiling and the use of unmarked vehicles with swapped license plates by federal agents—claims that state officials say violate Minnesota law.
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the investigation is likely to become a central flashpoint. Republicans in the state have rallied behind the Trump administration, arguing that the unrest is a direct result of the DFL’s refusal to follow federal law. Democrats, conversely, view the probe as the latest in a series of retaliatory actions by the White House against “blue” states.
With subpoenas served and a criminal probe active, the legal battle over Minnesota’s sovereignty and the federal government’s immigration authority is headed for a high-stakes showdown in the federal courts.
Sources
- The Washington Post: Justice Dept. launches criminal investigation of Minnesota governor
- The Guardian: Tim Walz calls out Trump for ‘authoritarian tactic’ after reports of DOJ investigation
- CBS News: DOJ investigating Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over alleged conspiracy
- City of Minneapolis: Mayor Frey calls for ICE to leave City
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security: DHS Statement on Mayor Frey’s Sanctuary Policies
- Minnesota Attorney General’s Office: State of Minnesota v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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