The U.S. Department of Justice has served grand jury subpoenas to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and several local Democratic officials as part of a federal investigation into whether they improperly obstructed federal immigration enforcement efforts, multiple news outlets report.
Federal prosecutors on Tuesday served subpoenas to at least six Minnesota government offices, including the offices of Walz, Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, and officials from Ramsey and Hennepin counties. The subpoenas seek documents and communications related to officials’ actions and policies concerning immigration enforcement operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche had warned Walz and Ellison last week that he was “focused on stopping YOU from your terrorism by whatever means necessary.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused the pair of inciting violence against federal officers, Just the News reported.
Officials are being questioned in connection with a probe into whether state and local leaders conspired to impede federal immigration agents during Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale enforcement initiative led by ICE that has drawn significant controversy in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area.
The subpoenas mark a notable escalation in the Justice Department’s clash with Democratic leaders in Minnesota, who have openly criticized the federal immigration operation and questioned its impact on public safety. Walz’s office confirmed receipt of its subpoena.
Minnesota officials have strongly condemned the subpoenas. Walz described the investigation as “political theater” and said it distracts from pressing community concerns. Frey said the federal government was using its authority to intimidate local leaders for carrying out their duties, according to local reporting.
“Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic,” Walz said on X. “The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.”
Noem fired back on that allegation during a media appearance, saying the actions of the officer involved have been scrutinized and investigated under policies that have been in place in federal agencies for years, including under the Biden administration.
Ellison similarly called the subpoenas an effort to suppress dissent and retaliate against critics of the federal immigration crackdown.
Frey accused the department of attempting to intimidate him for his support of the city, which included local law enforcement officers and residents protesting federal immigration operations.
“I will not be intimidated,” Frey insisted on X on Friday. “My focus remains where it’s always been: keeping our city safe.”
The Justice Department declined to publicly comment on the investigation or provide additional details about the scope of the subpoenas.
The federal inquiry comes amid broader tensions over immigration enforcement in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of Renée Good by an ICE agent during a protest earlier this month, which has intensified criticism of ICE operations and increased scrutiny of federal law enforcement tactics in the state.
Legal experts say the use of grand jury subpoenas in such a context — targeting elected officials over public statements and policies — is unusual and could raise constitutional questions, though prosecutors maintain the authority to investigate potential obstruction of federal officers.
President Donald Trump has accused Walz and U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of using protests against federal immigration enforcement to divert attention from fraud cases in Minnesota, making the claims in a series of social media posts.
“ICE is removing some of the most violent criminals in the World from our Country, and bring them back home, where they belong. Why is Minnesota fighting this? Do they really want murderers and drug dealers to be ensconced in their community? The thugs that are protesting include many highly paid professional agitators and anarchists. Is this really what Minnesota wants?” Trump wrote.