Justice Department probes Minnesota leaders over opposition to ICE enforcement

The Justice Department on Tuesday issued subpoenas(a writ ordering a person to attend a court) to several Minnesota officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Gov. Tim Walz , as part of a criminal grand jury investigation into whether their statements or actions obstructed federal immigration enforcement in the Minneapolis‑St. Paul area during Operation Metro Surge . Federal prosecutors also subpoenaed Attorney General Keith Ellison, St. Paul Mayor Kohly Her and officials in Ramsey and Hennepin counties, seeking records tied to possible interference with federal operations. Minnesota leaders condemned the subpoenas as politically motivated and argued that local officials were acting to protect their communities rather than impede lawful operations. Frey said Americans should be alarmed if federal law enforcement is used to “play politics,” and Walz called the investigation “political theater,” while Ellison argued it violates constitutional rights.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara urged people to alert police when ICE activity appears unclear or unsafe so local authorities can assess the situation, not to block lawful operations. Many residents have responded to the federal surge by calling 911 if they see ICE officers in their neighborhoods. Activists and neighborhood groups have also organized rapid‑response networks to monitor federal agents and document potential violations.

Federal officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel , have defended the subpoenas and the enforcement operation as lawful and necessary for public safety. Patel warned that “no one elected official, private citizen or otherwise gets to impede and obstruct a law enforcement investigation,” saying the FBI is carrying out President Donald Trump’s mandate to enforce the law fully and that elected leaders are not exempt from federal scrutiny. He explained that subpoenas help investigators gather records and bring witnesses before a grand jury with the Department of Justice. Patel said the FBI is committed to working with interagency partners “to make sure Minnesota and every other city across this country is safe.”

The operation has drawn widespread scrutiny after ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot 37‑year‑old Minnesotan Renée Good on January 7. Federal authorities defended the shooting as lawful self‑defense, but videos and eyewitness accounts suggest Good’s vehicle was moving away when she was shot, raising serious questions about the use of lethal force. Since then, residents have confronted federal officers with whistles, protests and calls for accountability, and videos have circulated showing aggressive tactics such as tear gas, chemical irritants, forced home entries and detentions of people not blocking operations. Critics argue these actions have eroded trust and public safety rather than enhanced it, fueling protests, lawsuits and a broader national debate over whether federal enforcement in Minnesota prioritizes real community safety or serves as a heavy‑handed display of authority.