A fresh political storm is brewing in Washington and the Midwest, with the U.S. Justice Department examining the actions of senior Minnesota leaders amid rising tensions over immigration enforcement.
According to people familiar with the matter, a criminal probe has been opened into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Subpoenas have reportedly been prepared in connection with allegations that state and city officials worked to obstruct federal immigration agents operating in the region. It remains unclear whether those subpoenas have been formally served.
The inquiry follows public remarks by Walz and Frey criticizing the large-scale deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol personnel in and around Minneapolis. Nearly 3,000 federal agents have been sent to Minnesota in recent days under directives from President Donald Trump, a move that has sparked protests and heightened friction on city streets.
Walz responded sharply after news of the investigation surfaced, accusing the Trump administration of turning federal power into a political weapon. In a social media post, the governor framed the inquiry as part of a broader pattern of intimidation aimed at figures viewed as political adversaries, warning that such tactics mirror authoritarian playbooks. Walz, who was the Democratic vice-presidential nominee in the 2024 election, pointed to other prominent Democrats and public officials who have recently drawn the ire of the White House.
Mayor Frey echoed that sentiment, calling the investigation an attempt to silence local leadership. He said he would not be deterred from defending Minneapolis residents and local authorities, whom he believes have been placed at risk by what he described as a chaotic and aggressive federal operation.
The backdrop to the dispute is a volatile situation on the ground. Protests have intensified following the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, by an ICE agent during a traffic encounter in Minneapolis earlier this month. Demonstrations have taken place daily since the incident and have spread beyond the city, with confrontations between residents and federal officers growing increasingly tense.
While urging demonstrators to remain peaceful, Walz has encouraged the public to document arrests and encounters involving immigration agents, suggesting such records could be used later to examine alleged misconduct. Both Walz and Frey have repeatedly demanded an end to the federal deployment, arguing that the operation is reckless, fuels fear, and places civilians in danger for the sake of political spectacle.
The Justice Department has declined to comment publicly on the probe. However, Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a pointed message online reminding Minnesotans that, in her words, “no one is above the law.”
Even so, observers note that pursuing a sweeping conspiracy case rooted largely in public statements about government policy would be highly unusual, adding another layer of controversy to an already combustible clash between federal authority and state leadership.
