ABC: DOJ investigating Walz, Frey for obstructing federal law enforcement activities
Quick Summary
Federal authorities are reportedly investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for potentially obstructing federal immigration enforcement, with the Department of Justice examining a possible conspiracy statute violation. Both officials have condemned the investigation as a politically motivated abuse of power; Governor Walz labeled it an "authoritarian tactic" used to threaten political opponents, and Mayor Frey called it an "obvious attempt to intimidate" him for defending his city. Their stance was supported by DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom, who criticized the federal government for targeting political enemies while noting the local leaders had consistently called for peace in response to "chaotic, violent" ICE operations. This entire situation is set against the backdrop of a massive, weeks-long immigration crackdown by Homeland Security across Minneapolis and St. Paul, which has resulted in over 2,500 arrests and heightened local tensions, particularly following the fatal shooting of resident Renee Good by an ICE agent on January 7.
Federal authorities are now reportedly looking into whether Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey crossed a legal line and obstructed federal immigration enforcement with their...
Federal authorities are now reportedly looking into whether Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey crossed a legal line and obstructed federal immigration enforcement with their public statements. According to two sources familiar with the matter, the Department of Justice is investigating a potential violation of a conspiracy statute.
The story was first reported by CBS News. The two individuals who confirmed the investigation spoke to The Associated Press but wished to remain anonymous, as they were not authorized to speak publicly on the pending case.
Governor Walz shot back at the news, stating, “Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents is a dangerous, authoritarian tactic.” His office also noted that they have not received any formal notice of an investigation.
DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom shared a similar view, criticizing the federal government's actions. “Governor Walz and Mayor Frey have consistently called for calm, peaceful response as ICE continues to conduct chaotic, violent operations in our state,” Carlbom said. He accused the Trump administration of “weaponizing the DOJ to target his political enemies, escalating tensions and abusing its power in a way that puts Minnesotans in danger,” adding, “The only person Donald Trump is not investigating is the ICE agent who killed Renee Good.”
Mayor Frey posted his own defiant message on the social media platform X. “This is an obvious attempt to intimidate me for standing up for Minneapolis, local law enforcement, and residents against the chaos and danger this Administration has brought to our city,” he wrote. “I will not be intimidated. My focus remains where it’s always been: keeping our city safe.”
This investigation is unfolding during a weeks-long immigration crackdown across Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Department of Homeland Security has called it its largest-ever enforcement operation, resulting in over 2,500 arrests. Tensions in the region were already running high after the fatal shooting of Renee Good on January 7, which had prompted state and local officials to make repeated appeals for peace.