US Justice Department Probes Minnesota Governor for Possible ICE Obstruction

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The US justice department has opened a criminal investigation into Minnesota officials, including governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey, over an alleged conspiracy to impede immigration agents.

A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity on Friday, said subpoenas were prepared for Walz and Frey as part of the probe, 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 (ICE) officers and Border Patrol agents deployed to the Minneapolis region in recent weeks under orders from President Donald Trump, the source said.

In response to news of an ongoing investigation, Tim Walz, who was a vice-presidential candidate in the 2024 election won by Donald Trump, took to social media to voice his concerns. He argued that the federal justice system is being manipulated to target Trump’s political adversaries.

Federal law enforcement officers wearing protective gear attempt to disperse a crowd of demonstrators

Tensions flared in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, by an ICE agent last week, sparking protests across the city.

Federal officers clad in protective gear attempted to disperse the demonstrators as protests continued. (Source: Bloomberg / Victor J. Blue)

Walz further commented, “Just days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week, Jerome Powell was targeted. Before that, it was Mark Kelly. This weaponization of the justice system against political opponents is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes.”

The justice department declined to comment. But US attorney general Pam Bondi posted a message on X on Friday evening, saying: “A reminder to all those in Minnesota; No one is above the law.”

Meanwhile, in reaction to a CNN report on the investigation, Jacob Frey stated, “This move clearly aims to intimidate me because I stand up for Minneapolis and our local law enforcement against the disruption and danger brought by this Administration.”

A black and white image of a white woman on a poster that reads 'murdered by ICE'. A house surrounded by snow is in the background.

Bringing a criminal conspiracy case based on public officials’ statements about government policies would be an unprecedented move for federal prosecutors.

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 US citizen, Renee Good, 37, behind the wheel of her car, in Minneapolis on 7 January, 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.

Walz and Frey have repeatedly demanded that Trump end the ICE deployment, saying the militarised deportation drive was a reckless operation aimed at sowing chaos, fear and headlines, and was putting civilians in danger.