FBI SERVED Subpoenas to Tim Walz, Jacob Frey and more...

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued subpoenas to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of a criminal investigation into allegations that the two Democratic officials conspired to impede federal immigration enforcement operations in the state.

The probe, first reported by outlets including CBS News and The Washington Post in mid-January 2026, centers on claims that Walz and Frey obstructed or interfered with the duties of federal agents—particularly those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol—deployed in large numbers to Minneapolis under the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown. Sources familiar with the matter indicated the investigation examines potential violations of federal law, including conspiracy to impede officers under statutes such as 18 U.S.C. § 372, which prohibits using force, intimidation, or threats to prevent federal officials from discharging their duties.

The subpoenas—described in reports as grand jury subpoenas—were issued around January 16-17, 2026, with some accounts stating the DOJ intended to serve them imminently or had already done so. As of the latest reporting from mid-January, spokespeople for both Walz and Frey stated that their offices had not yet received formal notice or service as of Friday evening, though the investigation was confirmed as active. The DOJ declined to comment directly on the matter.

This development escalated amid heightened tensions in Minnesota following the January 7, 2026, fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE officer, Jonathan Ross, during an enforcement action. The incident sparked widespread protests, clashes with federal agents (including the use of tear gas and pepper balls), and arrests for assaulting law enforcement. Walz and Frey publicly criticized the federal surge—thousands of agents deployed, far outnumbering local forces—and called for peaceful demonstrations while condemning what they described as excessive enforcement tactics. Federal officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche (who visited Minneapolis alongside FBI Director Kash Patel), have blamed state and local leaders for contributing to unrest.

Walz responded sharply to reports of the investigation, calling it a "dangerous, authoritarian tactic" and an example of "weaponizing the justice system" against political opponents. In statements and posts on social media, he referenced other recent DOJ actions against figures like Elissa Slotkin, Jerome Powell, and Mark Kelly, and emphasized that the only individual not under scrutiny in the Good shooting was the federal agent involved. Frey similarly denounced the probe as an attempt to intimidate him for defending Minneapolis residents and local law enforcement.

The investigation has drawn sharp partisan reactions. Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Amy Klobuchar and others, have rallied in defense of Walz, labeling the subpoenas an assault on democracy and the rule of law. Legal experts quoted in outlets like The Independent have dismissed the case as weak or "total garbage," arguing that public statements criticizing federal actions do not typically rise to criminal obstruction. Meanwhile, supporters of the Trump administration have framed it as necessary accountability amid claims of state-level resistance to immigration enforcement.

As of January 20, 2026, no charges have been filed, and details on compliance with the subpoenas or further investigative steps remain limited due to the ongoing nature of the probe. The clash highlights broader federal-state tensions over immigration policy in the early months of the Trump administration's second term. Updates are expected as service of the subpoenas is confirmed and any responses from Walz or Frey unfold.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued subpoenas to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of a criminal investigation into allegations that the two Democratic officials conspired to impede federal immigration enforcement operations in the state.

The probe, first reported by outlets including CBS News and The Washington Post in mid-January 2026, centers on claims that Walz and Frey obstructed or interfered with the duties of federal agents—particularly those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol—deployed in large numbers to Minneapolis under the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown. Sources familiar with the matter indicated the investigation examines potential violations of federal law, including conspiracy to impede officers under statutes such as 18 U.S.C. § 372, which prohibits using force, intimidation, or threats to prevent federal officials from discharging their duties.

The subpoenas—described in reports as grand jury subpoenas—were issued around January 16-17, 2026, with some accounts stating the DOJ intended to serve them imminently or had already done so. As of the latest reporting from mid-January, spokespeople for both Walz and Frey stated that their offices had not yet received formal notice or service as of Friday evening, though the investigation was confirmed as active. The DOJ declined to comment directly on the matter.

This development escalated amid heightened tensions in Minnesota following the January 7, 2026, fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE officer, Jonathan Ross, during an enforcement action. The incident sparked widespread protests, clashes with federal agents (including the use of tear gas and pepper balls), and arrests for assaulting law enforcement. Walz and Frey publicly criticized the federal surge—thousands of agents deployed, far outnumbering local forces—and called for peaceful demonstrations while condemning what they described as excessive enforcement tactics. Federal officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche (who visited Minneapolis alongside FBI Director Kash Patel), have blamed state and local leaders for contributing to unrest.

Walz responded sharply to reports of the investigation, calling it a "dangerous, authoritarian tactic" and an example of "weaponizing the justice system" against political opponents. In statements and posts on social media, he referenced other recent DOJ actions against figures like Elissa Slotkin, Jerome Powell, and Mark Kelly, and emphasized that the only individual not under scrutiny in the Good shooting was the federal agent involved. Frey similarly denounced the probe as an attempt to intimidate him for defending Minneapolis residents and local law enforcement.

The investigation has drawn sharp partisan reactions. Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Amy Klobuchar and others, have rallied in defense of Walz, labeling the subpoenas an assault on democracy and the rule of law. Legal experts quoted in outlets like The Independent have dismissed the case as weak or "total garbage," arguing that public statements criticizing federal actions do not typically rise to criminal obstruction. Meanwhile, supporters of the Trump administration have framed it as necessary accountability amid claims of state-level resistance to immigration enforcement.

As of January 20, 2026, no charges have been filed, and details on compliance with the subpoenas or further investigative steps remain limited due to the ongoing nature of the probe. The clash highlights broader federal-state tensions over immigration policy in the early months of the Trump administration's second term. Updates are expected as service of the subpoenas is confirmed and any responses from Walz or Frey unfold.

17GEN4.com