The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, examining whether their public statements about federal immigration enforcement constitute a conspiracy to impede ICE agents.
At a Glance
- A senior law enforcement source confirms the probe centers on statements made after an ICE officer fatally shot U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good
- The rarely used Civil War-era statute was recently highlighted in Attorney General Pam Bondi’s memo on domestic terrorism cases
- Both Walz and Frey vow they will not be silenced, framing the inquiry as political intimidation
- Why it matters: The case tests the limits of political speech by elected officials under a federal statute that could criminalize criticism of federal operations
The investigation stems from escalating tensions in Minneapolis, where protests have intensified since ICE officer Jonathan Ross shot Good, a mother of three, during an immigration-related operation last week. Federal officers have since flooded the city, prompting sharp rebukes from local leaders.
Investigation Triggers First Amendment Concerns
The federal statute underpinning the inquiry has seldom been deployed and historically dates to the Civil War era. It appeared last month on a list of statutes in a memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi that directed prosecutors to pursue cases against individuals she labeled domestic terrorists.
Normally, before launching a criminal probe into public figures based on political speech, the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section would review the case for First Amendment implications. That unit, however, has been “decimated and sidelined” in the current administration, according to a source familiar with internal procedures.
Aaron Terry, director of public advocacy for the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, called the investigation “blatantly unconstitutional” if criticism of immigration enforcement is the basis.
“The right to condemn government action without fear of government punishment is the foundation of the First Amendment,” Terry said.
Walz and Frey Respond With Defiance
Governor Walz issued a statement framing the probe as part of a pattern of political retaliation.
“Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents is a dangerous, authoritarian tactic,” Walz said. “The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.”
Mayor Frey was equally unyielding.
“I will not be intimidated,” Frey said. “This is an obvious attempt to intimidate me for standing up for Minneapolis, our local law enforcement, and our residents against the chaos and danger this Administration has brought to our streets.”
He added, “Neither our city nor our country will succumb to this fear. We stand rock solid.”
Local Authorities Shut Out of Shooting Probe
Both Walz and Frey have criticized federal officials for excluding local authorities from the investigation into Good’s death. The governor said the Trump administration denied Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension any role, calling the move a threat to accountability.
Federal officials maintain Ross was justified in shooting Good, though details of the incident remain under internal review. The Justice Department declined to comment on the broader investigation into Walz and Frey.
Tensions Escalate on Minneapolis Streets
Protests have roiled Minneapolis since Good’s death, with federal and local law enforcement clashing over jurisdiction and tactics. On Thursday night, a federal officer shot a man in the leg after the individual allegedly fled a traffic stop and attacked an officer, further inflaming community anger.
Mayor Frey, in a moment captured on video, bluntly told ICE to “get the f—” out of the city, underscoring the raw animosity between city leadership and federal immigration authorities.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Last week | ICE officer Jonathan Ross fatally shoots Renee Nicole Good, sparking protests |
| Days later | Federal officers flood Minneapolis amid ongoing demonstrations |
| Thursday night | Federal officer shoots man during traffic-stop confrontation |
| Friday | DOJ investigation into Walz and Frey becomes public |
Rare Statute Draws Scrutiny
The statute at the center of the investigation has roots in the Civil War and has been invoked sparingly in modern times. Its inclusion in Bondi’s memo signals a willingness to pursue aggressive legal theories against officials who challenge federal operations.
Bondi reinforced that stance on social media Friday, posting, “A reminder to all those in Minnesota: No one is above the law.”
Key Takeaways
- The Justice Department is using a seldom-invoked Civil War-era law to scrutinize political speech by sitting governors and mayors
- First Amendment advocates warn the investigation could chill legitimate criticism of federal operations
- Minneapolis remains a flashpoint after the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by an ICE officer and the subsequent federal crackdown
- Governor Walz and Mayor Frey vow to continue resisting what they call political intimidation
