The US Justice Department has started a criminal investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Officials say the probe centers on claims that the two Democrats conspired to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from carrying out their duties. This comes amid growing clashes in Minneapolis over a major federal push to arrest people in the country illegally.
Background
Tensions in Minnesota have been building for weeks. The federal government sent nearly 3,000 ICE officers and Border Patrol agents to the Minneapolis area. Their main goal was to round up people suspected of being in the US without legal permission and to check reports of fraud in the state. The Department of Homeland Security called this the biggest operation they have ever run.
Local leaders pushed back hard. Governor Walz and Mayor Frey, both Democrats, said the federal agents were causing problems. They accused the agents of using rough methods that hurt public safety. Protests broke out across the Twin Cities. Things turned violent in some spots, with clashes between crowds and federal officers.
The breaking point came last week. An ICE officer shot and killed Renee Macklin Good, a Minnesota resident. Her death set off outrage. Protesters took to the streets, demanding answers. Walz and Frey spoke out against the federal presence. Frey called the situation unsustainable. He said local police were stuck dealing with fights between residents and ICE agents on the streets.
Walz told people to keep protests calm. He posted on X that no one should make the chaos worse. But federal officials saw their words as going too far. They pointed to a law that makes it a crime for people to team up and use force, threats, or intimidation to stop federal officers from doing their work. The statute is 18 U.S.C. § 372. It has been used before in cases where groups coordinated to block officials, often with some violence or direct threats.
Just days before the probe news broke, top Trump administration figures weighed in. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X: "A reminder to all those in Minnesota: No one is above the law." Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Walz and Frey needed to control their city. She accused them of encouraging attacks on federal law enforcement, calling it a felony.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche visited Minneapolis with FBI Director Kash Patel. Blanche posted on X: "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."
Key Details
The investigation is still in its early stages. Federal prosecutors are digging into public statements from Walz and Frey. Sources say they believe the leaders' words went beyond free speech. They allege the comments amounted to a conspiracy to impede ICE agents. Subpoenas could come soon to gather more evidence.
A US official spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter is not public yet. The official confirmed the probe targets Walz and Frey directly. The focus is on their criticism of the federal deployment and calls for local resistance.
Timeline of Events
- Weeks ago: Thousands of federal agents arrive in Minneapolis for arrests and fraud checks.
- Recent days: Protests grow after Frey calls the federal presence unsustainable.
- Last week: ICE officer kills Renee Good, sparking bigger unrest.
- Thursday: Walz urges calm protests on X.
- Friday: Bondi, Noem, and Blanche make strong public statements.
- This week: Justice Department opens the criminal inquiry.
The federal side says local leaders' rhetoric has hurt trust in law enforcement. Noem argued it encouraged protesters to act out. Frey and Walz have called for peace but stood firm against the agents.
"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. I will not be intimidated."
— Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey
Walz did not directly address the investigation in his latest post. Instead, he listed other figures he says are facing probes:
"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. The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her."
— Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz
A Justice Department spokesperson would not comment on the matter.
What This Means
This probe marks a sharp turn in the standoff between federal authorities and Democratic leaders in Minnesota. It raises questions about where public criticism ends and illegal obstruction begins. Legal experts note that speech is protected under the First Amendment unless it directly calls for blocking officers or leads to coordinated action.
For Walz and Frey, the stakes are high. A full investigation could lead to charges under the conspiracy statute. That carries serious penalties, including prison time. Subpoenas might pull in records of their communications, protest organizing, and talks with local police.
In Minneapolis, the federal operation rolls on. Agents continue arrests despite the backlash. City police say they are stretched thin, handling both local crime and spillover from protests. Residents are divided. Some support the crackdown on illegal immigration. Others see it as overreach that endangers communities.
The case could set a precedent. If prosecutors prove their point, it might chill other local leaders from speaking against federal policies. On the flip side, Walz and Frey frame it as political pressure. They say it distracts from the shooting of Good and real safety issues.
Nationwide, immigration remains a hot topic. The Trump administration has promised tough enforcement. Deployments like this one signal more to come in cities run by opponents. Minnesota's turmoil shows the risks when federal and local goals clash.
Protests continue but have stayed mostly peaceful since Walz's call. Federal officials watch closely. They want the city under control before things heat up again. For now, the investigation hangs over Walz and Frey as they balance local demands with federal scrutiny.
