FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau is enforcing President Trump’s directive that federal law applies to everyone, after the Justice Department issued grand jury subpoenas to five Minnesota government offices. The subpoenas — served by the FBI — seek records and communications as part of an inquiry into whether state and local officials, including Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Attorney General Keith Ellison, impeded federal immigration enforcement. The probe follows the deployment of roughly 3,000 federal immigration officers to the Twin Cities and the Jan. 7 death of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer, which sparked protests. Minnesota leaders have criticized the subpoenas as politically motivated while federal officials say the investigation aims to uphold the law.
FBI Director Says ‘No One’ Is Exempt From Federal Scrutiny as Grand Jury Subpoenas Target Minnesota Officials
FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News the bureau is carrying out President Donald Trump’s directive to enforce federal law fully, warning that elected officials are not immune from federal investigation after the Justice Department issued grand jury subpoenas this week to five Minnesota government offices.
“No one – elected official, private citizen or otherwise – gets to impede and obstruct a law enforcement investigation. No one,” Patel said during an appearance on "Hannity."
The subpoenas, issued Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Justice and served by the FBI, seek records and communications related to an inquiry into whether Minnesota officials conspired to impede federal immigration enforcement operations. Among those subpoenaed are Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.
The investigation follows a large-scale deployment of federal immigration officers to the Twin Cities ordered by the Trump administration. Officials say roughly 3,000 federal immigration personnel were deployed to the region — a significant mobilization in an area where the Minneapolis Police Department has about 600 officers.
The probe also comes in the aftermath of the Jan. 7 shooting death of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, an incident that ignited widespread protests and recurring clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement across Minnesota.
Officials Push Back
Top Minnesota Democrats have strongly criticized the federal enforcement operations. Gov. Walz called the subpoenas a "partisan distraction" and "political retaliation," writing on X that "The State of Minnesota will not be drawn into political theater." Mayor Frey said the federal government was weaponizing its power to intimidate local leaders. Attorney General Ellison described the investigation as "highly irregular" and tied the timing to his office’s recent lawsuit challenging the administration’s actions in the state.
How the Investigation Will Proceed
Patel described the expected steps in the criminal inquiry: collecting records, presenting witnesses to a grand jury, and coordinating with the Department of Justice on any charges or presentments. "When you have subpoenas out, it is not rocket science," he said, adding that the FBI will work with interagency and Justice Department partners under the president’s mandate to protect communities.
The Justice Department has not publicly indicted any Minnesota officials in connection with this matter. The subpoenas indicate the department is seeking documentary and testimonial evidence as part of its review into potential interference with federal immigration enforcement.
As the investigation unfolds, Minnesota leaders and federal authorities appear set to continue clashing over immigration enforcement policy and the proper role of federal law enforcement in local jurisdictions.
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