DOJ Probes Walz and Frey Over ICE Obstruction Claims

The U.S. Justice Department started a criminal investigation on Friday 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 comes after weeks of protests in Minneapolis over a large deployment of ICE officers and the fatal shooting of a local woman by one of them.

Background

Tensions in Minneapolis boiled over last week when Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, was shot and killed by an ICE agent. She suffered gunshot wounds to her chest, forearm, and possibly her head. The incident happened during a time when nearly 3,000 federal immigration agents and Border Patrol officers arrived in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. This is the biggest operation of its kind in U.S. history, aimed at arresting people suspected of living in the country illegally and checking claims of fraud in Minnesota.

Local residents and leaders saw the agents as aggressive. Protests broke out, some turning violent with clashes between demonstrators and officers in front of federal buildings. Governor Walz and Mayor Frey, both Democrats, spoke out against the federal presence. They said it created chaos on the streets and put public safety at risk. Frey told reporters the situation was not sustainable, with local police stretched thin and residents asking officers to confront ICE agents.

Walz urged people to keep protests peaceful and not add to the disorder. Both men have faced criticism from federal officials for their words. The Trump administration views their comments as fueling attacks on federal officers. This back-and-forth has grown into a larger fight between Washington and Minnesota's local government.

Key Details

The Justice Department's probe focuses on a specific law: 18 U.S.C. § 372. This federal statute makes it a crime for two or more people to conspire to stop federal officers from doing their duties using force, intimidation, or threats. Investigators believe public statements from Walz and Frey crossed into impeding law enforcement.

Sources close to the matter say subpoenas are likely coming soon. The inquiry looks at remarks made after thousands of agents showed up. Frey once said ICE agents should leave the city and called federal support for the shooting officer nonsense. Walz has pointed out that no one is investigating the agent who fired the shots.

Federal leaders have hit back hard. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted online that no one in Minnesota is above the law. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Walz and Frey need to control their city and that their rhetoric has led to assaults on officers, which she called a felony. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche visited Minneapolis with FBI Director Kash Patel on Friday. Earlier in the week, he wrote online that he would stop what he called terrorism from Walz and Frey by any means needed.

Local Responses

Neither Walz nor Frey has received formal notice from the Justice Department yet, according to Walz's office. Both deny any wrongdoing.

"This is an obvious attempt to intimidate me for standing up for Minneapolis, our local law enforcement, and our residents against the chaos and danger this Administration has brought to our streets," Frey said. "I will not be intimidated. My focus will remain where it's always been: keeping our city safe."

"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," Walz added.

A federal judge stepped in late Friday with a temporary order. It bars agents from certain arrests or detentions in the area, giving some relief to local concerns about overreach.

What This Means

This probe marks a rare step by the Justice Department. It targets elected state and city leaders for their public criticism of federal actions. Past cases under the same law involved direct plots with violence or clear threats, not just speech. Legal experts note that free speech protections usually cover policy gripes unless they incite obstruction.

For Minnesota, the investigation adds fuel to ongoing street tensions. With 3,000 agents still in place, protests continue, and local police feel the strain. Walz and Frey say their job is to protect residents from what they see as federal overreach. Federal officials argue local leaders are breaking the law by undermining officers.

The case could set a new line for how far officials can go in opposing Washington policies. Subpoenas would force Walz and Frey to hand over communications and records. That might reveal more about their private talks or plans during the protests. Meanwhile, the shooting of Renee Good remains under review, with no charges yet against the ICE agent.

Broader effects reach across the country. Other cities with sanctuary policies or criticism of immigration enforcement may watch closely. The Trump administration has pushed hard on border security, deploying agents to Democratic-led areas. This probe shows they are willing to use criminal law against opponents.

In Minneapolis, daily life feels the impact. Schools, businesses, and neighborhoods report fear from the heavy federal presence. Parents worry about children caught in raids. Local officers say they lack resources to handle both protests and regular crime. Frey has repeated calls for agents to leave, saying it divides government levels.

Federal side insists the operation targets criminals, not families. They point to fraud allegations in state programs as justification. Noem has blamed local rhetoric for eroding trust in law enforcement, saying it encourages violence.

As the probe moves forward, expect court fights. Walz and Frey's teams prepare defenses, calling it retaliation. Bondi's office stays quiet on details but signals resolve. This clash tests federal power against local rights in a divided nation.