The Justice Department is investigating whether Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey—both Democrats—improperly impeded federal immigration enforcement through public statements, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke to the Associated Press.
The inquiry is examining a potential violation of a federal conspiracy statute, the people said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation.
CNN reported that FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche arrived in Minneapolis the same day reports of the investigation surfaced.
Why It Matters
Tensions in the Twin Cities have escalated since federal agents moved into the area in large numbers. Last week, a U.S. citizen was shot and killed by an ICE agent in a Minneapolis neighborhood. A Venezuelan man was also shot by a federal agent in the city on Wednesday evening.
Federal officers have been criticized for aggressive tactics toward protesters, while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has argued that demonstrators have been violent toward agents.
The investigation follows President Donald Trump’s decision a day earlier to pull back from a threat to invoke the Insurrection Act in response to Minneapolis protests. The 1807 law allows the deployment of troops to suppress unrest.
What To Know
DHS has described the Minneapolis-St. Paul surge as its largest enforcement operation, saying it has led to more than 2,500 arrests and includes a broad probe into fraud cases. About 3,000 federal officers have been deployed to Minnesota, according to the agency.
Walz and Frey have sharply criticized the scale of the federal presence while also urging peaceful protests. This week, Minnesota and the Twin Cities sued the Trump administration, arguing that the immigration operation amounts to a “federal invasion” and violates the Tenth Amendment, which outlines states’ rights.
“As long as federal agents are in our city acting unconstitutionally against our neighbors, we will continue to push back with everything we got,” Frey said Monday.
A U.S. official told CBS News that investigators are reviewing possible violations of 18 U.S.C. § 372, a statute that makes it a crime for two or more people to conspire to prevent federal officers from carrying out their duties through “force, intimidation or threats.”
CBS reported the law has historically been applied to coordinated efforts to obstruct federal authorities—typically involving violence or explicit threats—while public criticism of federal policy is generally considered protected speech unless it crosses into direct coordination or incitement to impede law enforcement.
After Good was shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross, Frey said during a news conference that ICE should “get the f*** out of Minneapolis,” adding, “We do not want you here.”
DHS has described the shooting as occurring while “violent rioters” were allegedly trying to “run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them—an act of domestic terrorism.”
Frey, however, dismissed claims that the ICE agent acted in self-defense as “bulls—.”
Walz has encouraged protesters to use their cameras to record federal agents and urged residents to call 911 if they witness potentially illegal actions.
The shooting has fueled calls for Ross to face criminal charges, but Vice President JD Vance has said the agent has “absolute immunity.” Last week, the FBI told Minnesota officials they would not be allowed to participate in the investigation or review key evidence, meaning the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension would not have access to evidence that could be reviewed by local prosecutors considering possible charges.
Local prosecutors said they have jurisdiction and are evaluating legal options.
Earlier this week, Frey said the situation in Minneapolis was “not sustainable,” noting that some residents were calling for Minneapolis police officers to confront ICE agents in the streets.
What Happens Next
DHS has said its Minnesota operation will continue, and officials expect unrest in Minneapolis to persist. On Friday, protesters and law enforcement clashed again outside the Whipple Federal Building, where immigrants are processed after arrests.
