Department of Justice subpoenas Minneapolis Mayor Frey and Minnesota Governor Walz
The Justice Department on Tuesday issued subpoenas to several Minnesota officials and began an investigation into whether they interfered with federal immigration operations in the state. (Scripps News)
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The legal battle between Minnesota and federal authorities has intensified as Vice President J.D. Vance plans to visit Minneapolis and protests against immigration enforcement continue in the state.
On January 20, the Department of Justice subpoenaed the offices of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on charges of interfering with the work of federal employees in the state. Walz and Frey called the move a “partisan diversion” and an effort to “intimidate local leaders.”
A federal judge in Minnesota is considering whether to halt immigration operations after the states, Minneapolis and St. Paul filed lawsuits accusing the federal government of violating states’ rights. The judge ordered officials not to use “coercive” tactics against peaceful protesters, including tear gas and arrests. The Department of Justice appealed this order.
As investigations and lawsuits mount, protests continue across Minnesota, where about 3,000 federal employees are active. Demonstrations have erupted since U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers shot and killed Renee Nicole Good on January 7.
The Justice Department has opened an investigation into a protest that disrupted Sunday services at a church in St. Paul. Protesters claimed that one of the pastors was the director of an ICE field office.
Vance defended Goode’s killing, calling it “a tragedy of her own making” and claiming she was part of a vast left-wing extremist network. On January 22, Vance is scheduled to speak at a roundtable with community members in the city, where the Trump administration is fighting to maintain immigration control.
Officials said the subpoena issued by the FBI on January 20 seeks records and testimony related to the investigation of Democratic Party officials accused of obstructing federal law enforcement.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the subpoenas sent to Walz, Frey and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will help build a case against the agency.
“If a subpoena is issued, It’s not rocket science. “The investigation will be conducted by obtaining records and then by presenting witnesses before the grand jury and arguing the case with our partners at the Department of Justice,” Kash said in an interview on Fox News’ “Hannity.”
All those subpoenaed criticized the investigation, calling it “political theater.” Ellison noted in X that the subpoena was issued within days of suing the Trump administration for federal intervention in Minnesota.
“Trump is weaponizing the judicial system against leaders who have the courage to stand up to him,” Ellison said.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Christopher Cann is a national breaking news reporter for USA TODAY. Email us at ccann@usatoday.com.
