Trump DOJ Issues Subpoena?
The Department of Justice has issued subpoenas to Tim Walz and Jacob Frey, opening a federal investigation into whether state and city leaders interfered with the lawful duties of federal law enforcement officers.
According to reporting from The Washington Post, the subpoenas are part of a broader DOJ inquiry examining potential violations of a federal statute related to conspiracy to obstruct a federal investigation. Both officials were formally served late Friday.
Federal officials have not yet commented publicly on the matter. The DOJ did not immediately respond to requests for clarification regarding the scope of the investigation.
Governor Walz reacted by accusing federal authorities of selectively targeting Democratic officials. In a statement shared by NewsNation, Walz claimed the justice system was being used as a political weapon and warned that such actions could undermine public trust in federal institutions.
Walz also referenced previous investigations involving other high-profile Democrats, arguing that the pattern reflects political retaliation rather than neutral law enforcement.
Mayor Frey issued his own response, framing the subpoenas as an attempt to pressure local leadership following Minneapolis’s opposition to recent federal immigration operations.
“This is an effort to intimidate city leadership for standing up for Minneapolis and its residents,” Frey said in a statement. He added that his administration’s priority remains public safety and maintaining order within the city.
Federal investigators, according to The Washington Post, are reviewing whether actions taken by Walz and Frey may have hindered federal officers during enforcement operations carried out in Minnesota.
The issue entered the national spotlight after Stephen Miller addressed the situation during an appearance on The Charlie Kirk Show. When asked whether Minnesota officials could face legal consequences for encouraging resistance to federal officers, Miller said charging decisions rest with the DOJ but warned of what he described as organized resistance to federal authority.
The investigation comes amid a broader push by the Trump administration to expand immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota. Thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were deployed as part of that effort.
Federal officials have cited concerns involving welfare fraud cases tied to individuals within Minnesota’s Somali community. Last year, Donald Trump ended temporary protected status for Somali nationals living in the state, a move that intensified political tensions.
Public attention increased further following a fatal encounter during an ICE operation in Minneapolis, in which ICE officer Jonathan Ross shot and killed resident Renee Good. The incident led to protests after Mayor Frey publicly demanded that ICE leave the city.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem later stated that Good attempted to strike the officer with her vehicle, describing the incident as an act of domestic violence against a federal officer. The statement sparked additional public debate.
Protests following the shooting spread to multiple cities nationwide. While Walz and Frey urged demonstrators to remain peaceful, several demonstrations resulted in confrontations with law enforcement officers.
After the administration announced plans to increase the number of federal officers in Minnesota, Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit seeking to block the deployment.
As tensions rose, Walz publicly urged President Trump to lower the political temperature after the president briefly raised the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act to restore order. The president later indicated he would not pursue that option at this time.
In a post on X, Walz called for de-escalation and urged federal officials to halt what he described as retaliatory actions. Federal authorities, however, have maintained that enforcing immigration law and protecting federal officers remains a core responsibility of the executive branch.
The subpoenas mark a significant escalation in the conflict between Minnesota’s Democratic leadership and federal officials, setting the stage for a closely watched legal battle with potential national implications heading into the 2026 election cycle.
