DOJ investigates Walz and Frey over statements on Minnesota immigration enforcement

The Justice Department is investigating whether Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey impeded federal immigration enforcement through public statements they made, two people familiar with the matter told the Associated Press on Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the pending probe.

The investigation focuses on a potential violation of a federal conspiracy statute, the people said. CBS News first reported the investigation. Neither official’s office said it had received formal notice of the probe.

The inquiry marks an escalation in the conflict between the Trump administration and Minnesota’s state and local officials over a weeks-long immigration operation in the Twin Cities that the Department of Homeland Security has described as its largest recent enforcement effort, resulting in more than 2,500 arrests.

Officials call probe a political intimidation tactic

Both Walz and Frey said the investigation was a bullying tactic intended to suppress political opposition.

“Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents is a dangerous, authoritarian tactic,” Walz said in a statement.

Walz was referring to ongoing Trump administration investigations of U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona and U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, who appeared with other Democratic lawmakers in a video urging members of the military to resist “illegal orders,” and of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell — the first such criminal investigation of a sitting Fed chair.

Walz’s office said it has not received any notice of an investigation.

Frey said the probe was an attempt to intimidate him for “standing up for Minneapolis, our local law enforcement, and our residents against the chaos and danger this Administration has brought to our streets.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X on Friday: “A reminder to all those in Minnesota: No one is above the law.” She did not specifically mention the investigation. The U.S. attorney’s office in Minneapolis did not immediately comment.

Protests, courts, and Insurrection Act

With more protests expected in the Twin Cities over the weekend, state authorities urged demonstrators to remain peaceful.

“While peaceful expression is protected, any actions that harm people, destroy property or jeopardize public safety will not be tolerated,” said Bob Jacobson, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Trump backed away somewhat from a threat made the day before to invoke the Insurrection Act, an 1807 law that would allow him to send troops to suppress demonstrations.

“I don’t think there’s any reason right now to use it, but if I needed it, I’d use it,” Trump told reporters outside the White House.

A federal judge in Minnesota ruled Friday that officers conducting the Twin Cities enforcement operation cannot detain or tear gas peaceful protesters who are not obstructing authorities, including when those protesters are observing agents at work. The case was filed on behalf of six Minnesota activists represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota before the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Good. Government attorneys had argued that officers were acting within their legal authority to enforce immigration laws and protect themselves.

Liberian man released again after repeated arrests

Garrison Gibson, 38, a Liberian man whose initial arrest by immigration agents was captured on video and later ruled unlawful, was released for the second time Friday after being detained again when he appeared for a routine check-in at an immigration office.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan ruled Thursday that officials violated regulations by failing to give Gibson adequate notice that his supervision status had been revoked, and ordered his release. He was arrested again at the immigration office Friday and released hours later, according to his attorney, Marc Prokosch.

Gibson, who fled civil war in his home country as a child, had been ordered removed from the United States, apparently because of a 2008 drug conviction that was later dismissed, Prokosch said. Gibson had remained in the country legally under an order of supervision that required regular check-ins with immigration authorities, Prokosch said, and had complied with those requirements. ICE told Prokosch it was “now going through their proper channels” to revoke the order.

911 calls describe Good’s fatal shooting

Minneapolis authorities released police and fire dispatch logs and transcripts of 911 calls related to the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Good, 37, who was at the wheel of her Honda Pilot when she was killed.

Firefighters found what appeared to be two gunshot wounds in her right chest, one in her left forearm, and a possible gunshot wound on the left side of her head, the records showed.

“They shot her, like, cause she wouldn’t open her car door,” a caller said. “Point blank range in her car.”

Video showed an officer approach Good’s SUV, demand that she open the door, and grab the handle. Good began to pull forward and turned the vehicle’s wheel to the right. ICE officer Jonathan Ross pulled his gun and fired at close range, jumping back as the SUV moved past him. DHS has claimed Ross acted in self-defense.