US justice department to inquire into Minnesota leaders for alleged conspiracy to obstruct ICE | ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
The US justice department is investigating Minnesota’s political leaders for allegedly conspiring to thwart the Trump administration’s controversial immigration crackdown there, according to multiple reports.
investigation, which CBS News first reportedIt marks an extraordinary use of federal power to challenge two of his crackdown’s most vocal Democratic critics, including state governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey.
Walz, who is also the Democrats’ 2024 vice presidential candidate, responded to the news of the investigation with a post on social media.
“Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, it was Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic.” Walz wrote. “The only person not investigated in the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.”
Inside a statement “I won’t be afraid,” Frey told the Minnesota Star Tribune.
“This is a blatant attempt to intimidate me into defending Minneapolis, our local law enforcement, and our residents against the chaos and danger this administration has brought to our streets,” the mayor added.
“My focus will remain what it has always been: keeping our city safe. America trusts leaders who use integrity and the rule of law as pillars of governance. Neither our city nor our country will bow to this fear. We stand solid as a rock.”
The Washington Post reports that the justice department has already Subpoenas issued for both menand plans to serve them within a few hours.
The shooting of Rene Good by ICE officer Jonathan Ross last week sparked protests across the country and turned Minneapolis into a flashpoint for resistance to the Trump administration’s increasingly harsh crackdown on immigrants. Homeland Security has deployed nearly 3,000 immigration enforcement officers to Minnesota, five times the size of the Minneapolis police force.
Local and federal authorities also clashed over the investigation into Ross’ shooting. A New York Times analysis of witness videos It appeared to show Ross running away from the car Good was driving, and that Ross posed no threat to him as he drew his service pistol and shot him three times at point-blank range.
But federal officials, including Donald Trump and vice president J.D. Vance, have repeatedly defended Ross’ actions, and the FBI has taken the unusual step of refusing to cooperate with state investigators, who have the authority to file criminal charges against Ross if necessary but need access to evidence to do so.
Deputy attorney general Todd Blanche appeared to address the upcoming investigation in a speech. Description of X earlier this week.
“The Minnesota riots are the direct result of a FAILED governor and a TERRIBLE mayor encouraging violence against law enforcement,” Blanche tweeted. “Disgusting. Walz and Frey – I’m focused on stopping terrorism by whatever means necessary. It’s not a threat. It’s a promise.”
Since taking office last year, Trump has repeatedly directed the justice department to pursue criminal investigations and prosecutions against his political rivals.
More details coming soon…
