MINNEAPOLIS — In a major legal rebuke to the federal government’s “Operation Metro Surge,” U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez issued a preliminary injunction on Friday, January 16, 2026, barring federal agents from arresting, detaining, or using chemical irritants against peaceful protesters and legal observers in Minneapolis. The ruling arrived as the Department of Justice (DOJ) simultaneously confirmed it is investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for an alleged conspiracy to impede federal law enforcement.
A Judicial Shield for Protesters
The injunction, a response to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Minnesota, follows weeks of escalating tension in the Twin Cities. Since the launch of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) massive immigration enforcement operation in December, the streets have been a flashpoint for conflict. Tensions reached a breaking point following the January 7 fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE agent—an incident that sparked widespread demonstrations and subsequent reports of aggressive federal crowd-control tactics.
Judge Menendez’s order specifically prohibits agents from:
- Using pepper spray or non-lethal munitions against peaceful crowds.
- Arresting individuals without probable cause that a crime was committed.
- Retaliating against bystanders for recording or observing federal activity.
- Stopping vehicles without “reasonable and articulable suspicion.”
In her ruling, Menendez noted that the use of chemical irritants and the pointing of weapons at non-violent observers had a “chilling effect” on First Amendment rights. The judge emphasized that simply observing or following federal agents at a safe distance does not constitute obstruction.
The DOJ Turns the Lens on Local Leadership
While the court restricted agents’ actions on the ground, the Department of Justice escalated its legal pressure on Minnesota’s executive leadership. Two U.S. officials confirmed on Friday that the DOJ is investigating Governor Walz and Mayor Frey. The probe reportedly centers on public statements and executive actions that federal authorities claim have encouraged interference with Operation Metro Surge.
The investigation marks a deepening rift between the Trump administration and “sanctuary” jurisdictions. Federal officials argue that local non-cooperation has emboldened criminal activity. In a press release issued Friday, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem highlighted the arrest of thousands of “worst of the worst” criminals, including those convicted of murder and drug trafficking, while criticizing local politicians for “releasing criminal illegal aliens directly from jails.”
A City on the Brink
Minneapolis remains a city divided and under heavy surveillance. There are currently an estimated 3,000 federal agents deployed to the area. The impact is being felt beyond the protest lines; Minneapolis Public Schools recently announced temporary virtual learning options for students who feel unsafe or anxious due to the heavy federal presence in their neighborhoods.
The ACLU’s lawsuit, Hussen v. Noem, alleges that federal agents have engaged in widespread racial profiling, specifically targeting members of the Somali and Latino communities. One plaintiff, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen, alleged he was pepper-sprayed simply for recording a federal convoy.
The DOJ, however, maintains that its agents are acting within the law. A spokesperson stated that arrests are based on “reasonable suspicion” of immigration violations and that the administration is committed to enforcing federal law “without fear or favor.”
The Road Ahead
The injunction will remain in place until the litigation is resolved or the federal operation concludes. Despite the court’s order, DHS officials stated there are “no plans to pull out of Minnesota,” and the operation has no set end date. As legal battles play out in the courtroom, the physical reality in Minneapolis remains one of barricades, protests, and an unprecedented federal footprint.
Sources and Links
- Star Tribune: Federal judge bars ICE agents from ‘retaliating’ against protesters in Minnesota
- Associated Press: Judge rules feds in Minneapolis immigration operation can’t detain or tear gas peaceful protesters
- CBS News Minnesota: Department of Justice investigating Gov. Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Frey, U.S. officials say
- The Guardian: Judge issues injunction to curb federal agents’ tactics against protesters in Minnesota – live
- Department of Homeland Security: Press Releases – Operation Metro Surge Updates
- ACLU of Minnesota: ACLU Sues Federal Government to End ICE, CBP’s Practice of Suspicionless Stops
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