Introduction to the Investigation
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks at a press conference at the State Emergency Operations Center in Blaine, Minn. on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.
The U.S. Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation of Minnesota officials, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, over an alleged conspiracy to impede immigration agents, a source familiar with the probe said on Friday.
Background of the Investigation
The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said subpoenas were prepared for Walz and Frey as part of the inquiry, but it was not immediately clear whether they had been served.
The investigation, first reported by CBS News, stems from statements made by Walz and Frey about the thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Border Patrol agents deployed to the Minneapolis region in recent weeks under orders from President Donald Trump, the source said.
According to data from the Department of Homeland Security, nearly 3,000 federal agents have been sent to Minnesota since early last week, triggering angry protests in Minneapolis over the surge in immigration agents on the streets of the state’s most populous city.
Reactions to the Investigation
Reacting on social media to news of the investigation, Walz, who unsuccessfully ran for the vice presidency in the 2024 election won by Trump, said the federal justice system was being weaponized to intimidate Trump’s perceived political enemies.
“Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic,” Walz said.
Reacting to a CNN report on the investigation, Frey said separately: “This is an obvious attempt to intimidate me for standing up for Minneapolis, local law enforcement, and residents against the chaos and danger this Administration has brought to our city.”
Context and Implications
The Trump administration has sent nearly 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota since early last week, triggering angry protests in Minneapolis over the surge in immigration agents on the streets of the state’s most populous city.
Confrontations between residents and federal officers have become increasingly tense after an ICE agent fatally shot a U.S. citizen, Renee Good, 37, behind the wheel of her car, in Minneapolis on January 7, triggering daily protests that have spread to other cities.
Although he has urged protesters to remain peaceful, Walz also has encouraged citizens to record video of any arrests or other encounters between ICE agents and members of the public in order to create a database for potential “future prosecution” of wrongdoing by law enforcement.
Conclusion and Further Reading
For more information on this developing story, please visit Here
Smart Tip for Readers
When encountering law enforcement, it’s essential to know your rights and remain calm; consider carrying a phone with a camera to record interactions, which can help protect both you and the officers involved, and always prioritize de-escalation techniques to avoid conflicts.
