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

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.

The US Justice Department is investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats, for allegedly obstructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The inquiry focuses on whether their statements and actions violated a federal statute prohibiting the prevention of federal officers from performing their duties through force, intimidation, or threats. The investigation follows protests in Minneapolis sparked by the death of Renee Good, who was shot by an ICE agent. Walz and Frey have criticized the investigation, accusing the Trump administration of weaponizing the justice system and attempting to intimidate them for opposing ICE's actions. The Justice Department has been contacted for comment.

The US Justice Department is reportedly investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for allegedly obstructing the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts. The investigation follows increased tensions between local and federal officials after the deployment of a large number of immigration enforcement officers to Minnesota and the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer. Both Walz and Frey, prominent Democratic critics of the administration's policies, have responded by accusing the administration of weaponizing the justice system for political purposes. The Justice Department has reportedly issued subpoenas for both men. The investigation marks a significant escalation in the conflict between the federal government and local leaders over immigration enforcement.

A 37-year-old woman named Renee Good was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis on January 7th. According to incident reports from the Minneapolis police and fire departments, paramedics arrived at the scene at approximately 9:42am and found Good unresponsive with apparent gunshot wounds. The reports detail two gunshot wounds to her chest and another to her forearm, as well as a possible gunshot wound to her head. Paramedics performed chest compressions and applied a tourniquet before transporting her to a nearby hospital, where resuscitative efforts were discontinued at approximately 10:30am. Multiple 911 calls related to the shooting reported that ICE agents shot Good in her car after she refused to open her door, with one caller stating "She's fuckin' dead. They fuckin' shot her."