The U.S. Department of Justice on Jan. 20 served grand jury subpoenas to Minnesota government offices, including those of Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, amid protests and intensified immigration enforcement. A source said the DOJ opened a criminal probe into an alleged conspiracy to impede immigration agents involving Walz, Frey and others. Both officials called the subpoenas partisan and said they would not be intimidated, while Minnesota Democrats urged calm and criticized the federal action.
DOJ Serves Grand Jury Subpoenas To Minnesota Governor’s And Mayor’s Offices Amid Immigration Crackdown
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents charge towards demonstrators during a protest outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, more than a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good on January 7, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Tim Evans
Jan 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday served grand jury subpoenas to Minnesota government offices, including the offices of Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Justice Department official said. The action comes amid ongoing protests and a broader immigration enforcement push in the state.
A source familiar with the matter said last week the Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into Walz, Frey and others over an alleged conspiracy to impede immigration agents. The inquiry follows heightened tensions around immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
Political Responses
Minnesota Democratic elected officials have urged calm while sharply criticizing what they describe as a politically motivated crackdown by Republican President Donald Trump's administration.
Statements From Walz And Frey
Walz wrote on X earlier on Tuesday: "This Justice Department investigation, sparked by calls for accountability in the face of violence, chaos, and the killing of Renee Good, does not seek justice. It is a partisan distraction. Minnesotans are more concerned with safety and peace rather than with baseless legal tactics aimed at intimidating public servants standing shoulder to shoulder with their community."
Frey said on Jan. 16 he would "not be intimidated" by reports the DOJ planned to subpoena him. He wrote on 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."
The DOJ declined to comment beyond confirming that subpoenas were served to multiple state and local government offices. The investigation and subpoenas are part of a broader, developing story that has further polarized political leaders and residents in Minnesota.
(Reporting by Jana Winter and Costas Pitas; Editing by Franklin Paul and Rod Nickel)
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