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Federal prosecutors are investigating Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for allegedly impeding federal law enforcement operations. Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed the probe, though no public details have been released. Sources said the investigation is in its early stages and it is unclear whether criminal charges will be filed, Fox News reported.
U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News that rhetoric from Walz and Frey regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations could cross into criminal territory.
“When the governor or the mayor threaten our officers, when the mayor suggests that he’s encouraging citizens to call 911 when they see ICE officers, that is very close to a federal crime,” Blanche said.
Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed that warning in a post on X.
“A reminder to all those in Minnesota: No one is above the law,” Bondi wrote.
Walz responded by accusing the Trump administration of weaponizing the justice system.
“Two days ago, it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly,” Walz wrote on X. “Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic. The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.”
Frey also responded on social media, saying he would not be intimidated.
“This is an obvious attempt to intimidate me for standing up for Minneapolis, local law enforcement, and residents against the chaos and danger this Administration has brought to our city,” Frey wrote. “I will not be intimidated. My focus remains where it’s always been: keeping our city safe.”
Frey’s office told Fox News Digital it has not been contacted by federal authorities.
“America depends on leaders that use integrity and the rule of law as the guideposts for governance,” the statement said. “Neither our city nor our country will succumb to this fear. We stand rock solid.”
Both Democratic leaders have publicly encouraged protests against immigration enforcement following the death of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot Jan. 7 by a federal agent while allegedly blocking an ICE operation in Minneapolis.
The White House’s Rapid Response 47 team criticized Walz after a statewide address in which he called for ICE agents to be prosecuted.
“You have an absolute right to peacefully film ICE agents as they conduct these activities,” Walz said. “If you see these ICE agents in your neighborhood, take out that phone and hit record.”
“Help us create a database of the atrocities against Minnesotans,” he added, saying the footage could be used for future prosecutions.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson accused Walz, Frey, and other Democratic leaders of inflaming tensions.
“They have done nothing but turn up the temperature, smear heroic ICE officers, and incite violence against them,” Jackson said.
President Donald Trump warned Thursday that he would invoke the Insurrection Act if aggression toward federal agents continues in Minnesota.
“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
