Minneapolis mayor says reported DOJ probe ‘intimidation’ amid ICE raids

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Lyndal RowlandsJanuary 17, 2026 at 08:40 AM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

In January 2026, media outlets reported that the Justice Department, under the Trump administration, opened a criminal investigation into Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The investigation reportedly stems from comments made by Frey and Walz regarding immigration raids in Minneapolis. Frey responded by stating he would not be intimidated and that the investigation was an attempt to silence him for standing up for the city. Walz criticized the investigation as a dangerous, authoritarian tactic, noting similar investigations into other political opponents. The Justice Department has not publicly confirmed the investigation.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Elissa Slotkin 40% Mark Kelly 40% Jerome Powell 40% Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 60% Minnesota ×270% Donald Trump ×370% United States Justice Department ×280% Tim Walz ×380% Jacob Frey ×390% Minneapolis ×490%

Keywords

doj probe 90% trump administration 80% ice raids 80% political intimidation 70% criminal investigation 70% minneapolis 60% federal law enforcement 60% tim walz 50% jacob frey 50% weaponizing justice system 40%