The Department of Justice has intensified its investigation into alleged efforts by Minnesota Democrats to interfere with federal immigration enforcement, issuing a new round of grand jury subpoenas tied to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the Twin Cities.
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According to Fox News, federal prosecutors on Tuesday served subpoenas to five Minnesota government offices, including those of Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Delivered by the FBI, the subpoenas seek internal communications, records, and coordination related to ICE activities and public messaging surrounding recent enforcement actions.
Investigators are examining whether state and local officials crossed legal boundaries by encouraging actions that could obstruct, intimidate, or interfere with federal law enforcement. The probe focuses on statements and directives issued during a surge in ICE operations across the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area.
WATCH:
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche warned that remarks from Walz and Frey may place them near criminal exposure. He cited comments encouraging residents to report ICE activity and rhetoric that federal officials argue could endanger officers carrying out lawful duties.
Both Walz and Frey rejected the investigation, framing it as politically motivated retaliation by the Trump administration. Walz accused federal authorities of abusing power to target opponents, while Frey said the subpoenas were meant to intimidate him and vowed not to alter his stance.
Federal officials counter that the investigation is grounded in public safety concerns, pointing to weeks of unrest tied to heightened ICE enforcement. Protests have escalated into confrontations with federal agents and disruptions of religious services, including a recent incident at a St. Paul church now under separate DOJ review for potential civil rights violations, signaling that the broader investigation is entering a more aggressive phase.[/read]