The U.S. Justice Department is looking into whether Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey hindered federal immigration enforcement with their public statements, as per sources familiar with the matter. The investigation is centered on a potential violation of a conspiracy statute, the sources revealed anonymously to The Associated Press.
CBS News initially broke the news about the inquiry. In response, Governor Walz criticized the alleged tactic of weaponizing the justice system against political opponents. He referenced U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, as well as Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, in his statement. Walz’s office stated they have not been officially notified of any investigation.
Mayor Frey declared he will not be intimidated and remains focused on ensuring the safety of the city amid the administration’s actions. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized on social media that no one is exempt from the law, without directly commenting on the investigation.
The ongoing immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and St. Paul has intensified following the recent shooting incident. The Department of Homeland Security’s enforcement operation, resulting in over 2,500 arrests, has been marked by clashes since the fatal shooting. State and local authorities have urged demonstrators to maintain peace during protests.
Governor Walz has encouraged citizens to document any ICE-related incidents for potential future legal action. Both Walz and Frey have criticized the ICE deployment, labeling it as disruptive, fear-inducing, and perilous to civilians. Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche has pointed fingers at Walz and Frey for the tensions, vowing to halt them using all necessary means.