The Justice Department has opened an investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over statements they made that may have obstructed federal immigration enforcement, according to sources familiar with the matter. The inquiry focuses on a potential violation of a federal conspiracy statute. Neither Walz nor Frey has received official notice of the investigation.
In response to the reports, Walz called the investigation a politically motivated attack. He compared it to recent threats against other public figures, saying that using the justice system to target opponents is “a dangerous, authoritarian tactic.” Frey said the investigation is an attempt to intimidate him for defending Minneapolis, its law enforcement, and residents. He added that he will continue to focus on public safety despite the investigation.
The investigation comes amid a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities. The Department of Homeland Security has described it as the greatest such effort in the region, resulting in more than 2,500 arrests. The operation has become more confrontational following the fatal shooting of Renee Good on January 7, and local officials have repeatedly urged protesters to remain peaceful. Minnesota authorities have emphasized that while peaceful protests are allowed, any acts of violence, property destruction, or threats to public safety will not be tolerated.
A high-profile case during the crackdown involved Garrison Gibson, a Liberian man who was detained after immigration agents used a battering ram to enter his home. Gibson was released after a judge ruled the arrest unlawful, but was briefly detained again during a routine check-in before being released once more. Gibson had been living in the U.S. legally under supervision despite a past dismissed conviction, and authorities admitted to mishandling his supervision status.
Amid the enforcement actions, tribal leaders and Native American rights organizations are advising members to carry tribal IDs in case ICE officers approach them. Reports of stops and detentions have raised concerns nationwide. Community organizers in Minneapolis have set up ID assistance booths to support residents. Democratic lawmakers held meetings to hear accounts of aggressive encounters with ICE agents, and officials say certain groups, including Hmong Americans, have reported door-to-door immigration checks.
The fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman, has also added tension to the situation. Police and fire records show she was shot multiple times while in her vehicle after an officer demanded she open the door. Video footage indicates she began to drive away as the officer fired. DHS maintains the agent acted in self-defense.
Meanwhile, an incident involving stolen property from an FBI vehicle in Minneapolis has led to at least one arrest. The theft occurred while agents responded to the shooting during the immigration operation. President Trump warned that he might invoke the Insurrection Act if local authorities do not control protests, though Minnesota’s attorney general has pledged legal action if the law is invoked.
The investigation into Walz and Frey highlights the tension between federal immigration enforcement and local leadership in Minnesota. Authorities and officials continue to manage the unfolding enforcement operation, protests, and legal disputes, amid heightened national attention on the Twin Cities.