The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Officials say the two Democrats may have conspired to block federal immigration agents from doing their jobs. This move ramps up a bitter fight between state leaders and the Trump administration over ICE operations in the Twin Cities.
Background
Tensions have been building in Minnesota for weeks. The Department of Homeland Security sent nearly 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents to Minneapolis and St. Paul in early December. They called it Operation Metro Surge, the biggest effort of its kind in agency history. The goal was to arrest people living in the U.S. illegally and check for fraud claims in the state.
Local residents and leaders pushed back hard. Protests broke out across the Twin Cities. Things turned deadly on January 7 when an ICE agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, a Minneapolis mother, during an operation. A second shooting involving another ICE agent happened days later.
Governor Walz responded by calling up the Minnesota National Guard to keep order and stop more unrest. Mayor Frey said the flood of federal agents was pulling police away from regular duties and making the city less safe. Both men spoke out against the operations, calling them overreach that stirred up trouble.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison took it further. He filed a lawsuit this week against DHS and ICE, along with cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul. The suit claims the federal surge breaks the Constitution, forces state resources into federal work, and punishes Minnesota for political reasons.
President Trump weighed in on Thursday. He talked about using the Insurrection Act to send in troops unless state leaders stopped what he called 'professional agitators and insurrectionists' attacking ICE workers.
Key Details
The investigation focuses on public statements from Walz and Frey. Federal officials believe their words may have gone beyond free speech into illegal obstruction. They point to 18 U.S.C. ยง 372, a law that makes it a crime for two or more people to conspire to stop federal officers from doing their duties using force, intimidation, or threats.
This statute rarely gets used. It usually applies to cases with clear violence or direct plots to block officials. Critics say applying it to elected leaders' comments sets a new and risky line.
Timeline of Events
- Early December: DHS launches Operation Metro Surge with thousands of agents in Twin Cities.
- January 7: ICE agent kills Renee Nicole Good during an arrest attempt.
- Days later: Second ICE-related shooting sparks more protests.
- This week: Walz activates National Guard; Ellison sues federal agencies.
- Thursday: Trump mentions Insurrection Act.
- Friday: DOJ starts probe, first reported by outlets close to the story.
Walz's office says the governor has not heard directly from the Justice Department about the matter. Frey's team has not commented publicly yet. No charges have been filed, and the probe is in its early days.
Federal leaders have fired back with strong words. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem blamed Walz and Frey for egging on attacks against agents.
"Mayor Frey and Governor Walz have to get their city under control. They are encouraging impeding and assault against our law enforcement which is a federal crime, a felony." – DHS Secretary Kristi Noem
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche posted on social media this week, aiming his words at the two officials.
"Walz and Frey – I'm focused on stopping YOU from your terrorism by whatever means necessary. This is not a threat. It's a promise." – Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche
Frey spoke out after the second shooting. He said residents were telling local police to fight ICE agents on the streets.
"We're in a position right now where we have residents that are asking the very limited number of police officers that we have to fight ICE agents on the street. We cannot be at a place right now in America where we have two governmental entities that are literally fighting one another." – Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey
Walz has called the federal moves a political hit. He pointed to other Democrats facing scrutiny lately.
What This Means
This probe marks a big step from arguments over policy to possible criminal cases against top elected officials. If it leads to charges, it could test limits on what leaders can say about federal actions. Courts would have to decide if criticism counts as a crime or stays protected speech.
For Minnesota, the stakes are high. The state relies on federal funds and cooperation in many areas. A full clash could hurt public safety, strain budgets, and deepen divides in already tense communities. Protests continue, with Walz urging people to keep them peaceful and not add to the chaos.
The Trump administration sees this as standing up for federal law enforcement. They argue local leaders' words have led to assaults on agents and blocked arrests. Noem said the rhetoric from Walz and Frey has hurt trust in officers and fired up crowds.
Walz pushed back in his statement, listing other figures he sees as targets.
"Weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents is a dangerous, authoritarian tactic. The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her." – Governor Tim Walz
Frey has said the ICE presence is not sustainable. It diverts cops from fighting crime at home and heats up conflicts on the ground. Both men say their goal is safety for everyone, not picking fights with Washington.
Legal experts watch closely. Past cases show public criticism alone rarely leads to convictions under this law. But coordinated efforts or calls to action could change that. The Justice Department has not confirmed the probe publicly. A spokesperson declined to comment.
In Minneapolis, daily life feels the strain. Businesses close early amid protests. Families worry about raids. Federal agents keep patrolling, aiming to hit immigration violation targets. State and city police walk a thin line, balancing local calls with federal pressure.
This story could grow fast. More details on the investigation may come soon. Walz and Frey face choices on how to respond without risking more fallout. Minnesota's role in national immigration debates just got sharper.
