The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over allegations they conspired to obstruct federal immigration enforcement, a move both officials have denounced as a political intimidation tactic.
The probe, which could result in criminal charges, focuses on statements by Walz and Frey that federal authorities claim encouraged resistance to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers deployed in Minneapolis. Sources indicate the DOJ is examining potential violations of 18 U.S.C. § 372, a statute prohibiting conspiracy to impede federal officers through force, intimidation, or threats. Subpoenas are likely to be issued, though neither leader had received formal notice as of Friday evening.
This investigation arises amid a massive federal immigration operation in the Twin Cities, where nearly 3,000 ICE agents have been dispatched in what the Department of Homeland Security calls its largest deployment ever. The operation has triggered widespread local backlash, with protests intensifying after the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Good by an ICE officer last week, an incident that has heightened tensions between state and federal authorities.
Governor Walz and Mayor Frey have consistently criticized the federal presence, arguing that aggressive tactics by immigration agents have created chaos and undermined public safety. In response to the investigation, Walz accused the Trump administration of “weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents,” labeling it a “dangerous, authoritarian tactic.” Frey similarly condemned the probe as “an obvious attempt to intimidate me for standing up for Minneapolis” and vowed to remain focused on city safety.
Federal officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, have defended the investigation, emphasizing that no one is above the law. Blanche, who visited Minneapolis with FBI Director Kash Patel, had previously warned Walz and Frey in social media posts, stating he was focused on stopping their “terrorism by whatever means necessary,” though he clarified this as a commitment to legal action.
The legal scrutiny centers on whether the officials’ rhetoric crossed into criminal territory by inciting obstruction, with public criticism typically protected as free speech unless directly coordinating illegal acts. The investigation marks an escalation in the ongoing clash over immigration enforcement and states’ rights, with Minnesota and Minneapolis filing lawsuits against the federal government, invoking the Tenth Amendment to challenge the operation’s constitutionality.
Politically, the probe has deepened divisions, drawing outrage from Democratic leaders like California Governor Gavin Newsom and Senators Chris Van Hollen and Chris Murphy, who called it an abuse of power. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has framed it as a necessary response to alleged obstruction, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accusing Walz and Frey of encouraging assaults on law enforcement.
Moving forward, the issuance of subpoenas could formalize the investigation, potentially leading to indictments if evidence substantiates the allegations. This situation highlights broader conflicts over federal-state relations and immigration policy, with implications for upcoming political dynamics and the rule of law in an increasingly polarized environment.
