The Department of Justice has reportedly opened an investigation into Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey amid allegations that the two Democratic leaders conspired to impede federal immigration enforcement by publicly attacking ongoing ICE operations in the state.
According to CBS News, federal prosecutors are examining statements made by Walz and Frey in response to the deployment of thousands of federal agents to Minneapolis and the surrounding region. Multiple sources told the network that investigators are scrutinizing whether the rhetoric crossed a legal line at a volatile moment marked by protests and clashes with demonstrators.
The inquiry reportedly centers on a rarely used federal statute, 18 U.S.C. § 372, which makes it a crime to conspire to obstruct federal officers through force, intimidation, or threats. As CBS News noted, public criticism of federal policy is generally protected by the First Amendment. However, prosecutors may proceed if they believe there is evidence of coordination or incitement intended to physically interfere with law enforcement operations.
The federal presence in Minnesota has surged in recent weeks, with nearly 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents sent into the region. Those agents have been tasked with arresting individuals suspected of being in the country unlawfully and investigating alleged fraud in the state. The large-scale operation has drawn fierce criticism from state and local leaders, even as federal officials argue it is necessary to enforce immigration law and protect public resources.
Tensions escalated further following the killing of Minnesota resident Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent last week, an incident that sparked protests and confrontations between demonstrators and federal authorities. The unrest has become a political flashpoint, with critics of the operation accusing federal officials of heavy-handed tactics and supporters arguing that enforcement cannot be derailed by street pressure.
Walz and Frey have both accused federal authorities of fueling instability rather than improving public safety. The Minneapolis mayor warned this week that the situation unfolding in the city was “not sustainable,” language that has drawn sharp scrutiny as investigators examine whether public statements may have contributed to obstruction or interference. At the same time, both leaders have repeatedly called on demonstrators to remain peaceful, a point their defenders say undercuts claims of incitement.
The investigation follows pointed criticism from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who accused Walz and Frey on X of “encouraging impeding and assault against our law enforcement,” calling such actions a federal felony. Her comments signaled growing frustration within the Trump administration over what it sees as political leaders using rhetoric that undermines officers on the ground.
The Department of Justice declined to comment to CBS News on the reported investigation, leaving unanswered questions about how aggressively prosecutors are pursuing the matter and what evidence, if any, they have gathered so far.
The reported probe underscores the widening clash between the Trump administration and Democratic officials in so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, where local leaders often oppose federal immigration enforcement. For administration allies, the investigation represents a long-overdue effort to determine whether political rhetoric has crossed into unlawful interference with federal duties. For critics, it raises concerns about the use of federal power in a heated political environment.
As protests continue and federal operations remain underway, the investigation adds another layer of tension to an already volatile situation in Minnesota, with potentially significant legal and political consequences for the state’s top leaders.
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