Federal prosecutors served six grand jury subpoenas to Minnesota officials on Tuesday as the Trump administration investigates whether they obstructed federal authorities by speaking out against an immigration enforcement operation.
A person familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press that prosecutors sent subpoenas to Gov. Tim Walz, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her. Officials from Ramsey and Hennepin counties also received subpoenas. All are Democrats.
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The federal government alleges the officials obstructed federal immigration officials through public statements, the AP reported. Those whom the news service spoke to said the investigation will focus on the potential violation of a conspiracy statute.
Reaction to the investigation
Both Walz and Frey have said the investigation was a way to bully President Donald Trump’s political opponents. Walz was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in the 2024 election against Trump.
“The Justice Department investigation, sparked by calls for accountability in the face of violence, chaos and the killing of Renee Good, does not seek justice,” Walz said. “My focus has always been protecting the people of this state, not protecting myself.”
Frey called the probe an attempt to intimidate him for “standing up for Minneapolis, our local law enforcement, and our residents against the chaos and danger this Administration has brought to our streets,” the AP reported.
During an interview with ABC News, Frey said that he would cooperate with federal investigators and said he did nothing wrong.
What’s the latest in Minnesota?
Demonstrators have protested since Trump ordered thousands of federal agents into Minneapolis in early January. Protests intensified following the killing of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent on Jan. 7.
Since the fatal shooting, protests have increased, including one that interrupted service at a Minnesota church. The Trump administration has labeled many of these protesters as “professional agitators.”
On Saturday, the Pentagon ordered 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for possible deployment to Minnesota amid protests.
“We are taking prudent steps to prepare active-duty Army forces,” one official said. “This doesn’t mean they will deploy; we are preparing options.”
In a statement to The Washington Post, the White House said it’s typical for the Pentagon “to be prepared for any decision the President may or may not make.”
Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act if state officials don’t stop “insurrectionists” that he said are attacking ICE facilities and agents.
