DOJ Opens Investigation Into Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Over Alleged Effort To Obstruct Federal Immigration Enforcement
The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over allegations that they conspired to impede federal immigration enforcement, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The probe centers on whether Walz and Frey used rhetoric or actions that interfered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations during the Trump administration’s large-scale enforcement surge in Minnesota. A U.S. official confirmed that investigators are reviewing public statements made by both officials in the wake of recent ICE activity in the state.
The investigation reportedly involves federal statute 18 U.S.C. § 372, which addresses conspiracies to prevent federal officers from carrying out their duties through force, intimidation, or threats.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly signaled potential federal action earlier this week, blaming Minnesota’s unrest on state and city leadership. Blanche said the situation was the result of a “failed governor and a terrible mayor encouraging violence against law enforcement,” and added that federal authorities were focused on stopping what he described as coordinated obstruction.
Walz and Frey have repeatedly condemned ICE following the fatal shooting of Renee Good during a confrontation with federal agents last week. In a televised address, Walz urged Minnesotans to follow ICE agents and record their actions to help the state compile what he called a database of “atrocities” for potential future prosecutions.
Frey, meanwhile, told ICE to “get the f*ck out of Minneapolis” hours after the shooting. He later accused federal agents of “causing chaos” and suggested residents were asking local police to confront ICE agents in the streets, before adding a call for calm.
As state and city officials escalated their rhetoric, protests in Minneapolis continued and, in some cases, turned violent. On Wednesday night, a federal agent was ambushed and attacked by three illegal immigrants during an attempted arrest, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Following that incident, agitators confronted federal officers, hurled fireworks, and were eventually dispersed with tear gas.
President Donald Trump responded to the unrest by threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act, accusing “corrupt politicians in Minnesota” of allowing organized agitators to attack ICE agents. The following day, however, Trump told reporters that he did not believe there was a reason “right now” to invoke the act.
The DOJ investigation remains ongoing, and no charges have been filed at this time.