According to reports, the Justice Department has subpoenaed Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on charges of conspiracy to obstruct federal law enforcement in Minnesota.
Minnesota governor asks federal government to allow state to investigate ICE shootings
Gov. Tim Walz is emphasizing transparency and calling for Minnesota to play a role in the investigation into the ICE shooting that killed a 37-year-old mother.
Justice Department officials have opened an investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in connection with charges of conspiracy to obstruct federal immigration enforcement in the state, Reuters and the Washington Post reported.
The investigation comes amid a growing feud between Minnesota Democratic leaders and President Donald Trump. The Department of Homeland Security has sent thousands of agents to the state in what it calls the “largest immigration operation in history” to combat fraud in social welfare programs that officials say is linked to Somali immigrants.
Mr. Walz and Mr. Frey have called on immigration authorities to leave the state, especially in the wake of the shooting death of Renee Nicole Macklin Good by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
In a statement, Walz criticized the administration for the reported investigation.
“Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that it was Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponent is an authoritarian tactic,” the former vice presidential candidate said. “The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal officer who shot her.”
Justice Department officials said the investigation into Jonathan Ross, the ICE officer who shot and killed Good on January 7, is “baseless.” The Justice Department is instead investigating Goode’s widow, according to reports from the New York Times and NBC News. Joe Thompson, the acting Minnesota attorney appointed to investigate the state’s fraud scandal, and other federal prosecutors have resigned in protest.
Minneapolis Mayor tells federal authorities: “I will not be intimidated”
Frey said in a statement shared with USA TODAY that he “will not be intimidated” by the Justice Department.
“This is a clear attempt to intimidate me as I stand up on behalf of Minneapolis, local law enforcement, and residents against the chaos and danger this administration has brought to our streets. I do not intend to be intimidated. My focus remains as always on keeping our city safe,” the mayor said.
He added: “America depends on leaders who govern with integrity and the rule of law. Our city and our country will not succumb to this fear. We are strong.”
Frey’s spokeswoman, Jess Olstad, said the mayor has not heard anything from the Justice Department.
The newly revealed investigation comes days after Walz called on Minnesotans on January 14 to record their calls with ICE agents working in the state. Americans have a First Amendment right to record government officials on duty in public. Good’s family said he was killed after stopping to “observe” ICE agents.
In response to questions about the investigation into Mr. Walz and Mr. Frey, Justice Department spokeswoman Natalie Baldassar said the department would not comment.
