A federal investigation has been launched into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, with a grand jury issuing subpoenas for the two officials. The US Department of Justice is probing allegations that they, along with other officials, conspired to impede the work of federal law enforcement officers. The investigation centers on their response to the deployment of nearly 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
The agents were sent to the state as part of a broader effort to increase immigration enforcement, which has sparked protests in Minneapolis. Tensions escalated after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot a local woman, Renee Good, prompting daily protests that have spread beyond the state. Both Walz and Frey have criticized the federal presence, with Frey telling agents to leave the city.
Walz, who was the running mate of Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, has accused the federal government of “weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents.” He noted that the federal agent who shot Good has not been investigated. Frey has also responded to the probe, calling it an attempt to intimidate him for standing up for the city and its residents.
The state of Minnesota, along with the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, has sued the Trump administration, arguing that the immigration operation is a “federal invasion” that violates the Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution. The lawsuit claims that the federal authorities have overstepped their powers and infringed on states’ rights.
The deployment of federal agents to Minneapolis has been widely condemned by Democrats, who see it as an abuse of power and an attempt to scapegoat migrants. The situation remains tense, with around 1,000 additional US Customs and Border Protection agents expected to arrive in the city. The investigation into Walz and Frey is ongoing, with the grand jury’s subpoenas marking a significant development in the case. The outcome of the investigation and the lawsuit against the Trump administration will be closely watched, as they have significant implications for the balance of power between the federal government and states.
