MINNEAPOLIS — Hennepin County prosecutors have launched a formal criminal investigation into federal immigration officials, including high-ranking Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino, over allegations of unlawful conduct during a massive enforcement operation in the Twin Cities. The probe, announced Monday by Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, focuses on potential civil rights violations and excessive use of force documented during “Operation Metro Surge.”
Prosecutors Target Federal Conduct in “Operation Metro Surge”
The investigation marks a significant legal escalation between local authorities and the federal government. At the heart of the probe is the Transparency and Accountability Project (TAP), a new initiative designed to collect community evidence regarding the conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents.
Hennepin County officials are currently reviewing 17 specific incidents, including a high-profile encounter on January 21. On that date, Chief Bovino was allegedly seen deploying a chemical agent into a crowd of protesters near Mueller Park. The investigation also encompasses reported uses of force against:
- Community protesters
- Credentialed journalists
- Legal observers
“We will investigate and pursue charging where appropriate,” Moriarty stated, emphasizing that the project is fundamental to ensuring transparency.
The Rise and Fall of the Twin Cities Mandate
Operation Metro Surge began in December 2024 as a centerpiece of the administration’s mass deportation agenda. Thousands of federal agents were deployed to Minneapolis and St. Paul with a dual mandate: apprehending undocumented immigrants and investigating alleged fraud within the Somali American community.
However, the operation quickly drew national scrutiny and local outrage following two fatal shootings by federal officers. The deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in early 2025 forced a tactical retreat. Following the outcry, Bovino was removed from his leadership role in the Minnesota operation and replaced by White House border czar Tom Homan.
A Looming Constitutional Conflict
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has signaled it will aggressively fight any attempt by local prosecutors to charge federal agents. In a statement released Monday night, the DHS characterized the investigation as “unlawful,” asserting that federal officers maintain immunity from state law while performing their official duties.
| Stakeholder | Primary Position |
| Hennepin County | Federal agents must be held accountable for unlawful use of force under state law. |
| DHS / Federal Govt. | Federal officials are immune from state prosecution; the probe is politically motivated. |
| Community Groups | Allegations include agents dragging U.S. citizens from vehicles and violating civil liberties. |
Despite the federal pushback, Moriarty remains resolute. “Federal officials acting in the course of their duties are immune… but we will do this ethically, responsibly, and vigorously,” she said, noting that the investigation is “just the beginning.”
What’s Next for the Investigation?
The Hennepin County Attorney’s office has opened a digital portal for residents to submit photos, videos, and written accounts of federal misconduct. As the legal battle over federal immunity vs. state sovereignty intensifies, the findings of the TAP initiative will likely determine if formal charges are filed against Bovino or his subordinates.
The outcome of this investigation could set a national precedent for how local jurisdictions interact with federal “surge” operations in major U.S. cities.
