The mayor of Minneapolis has condemned reports of a potential Justice Department investigation into top Democratic officials in Minnesota, describing it as an attempt at “intimidation” amid a continued crackdown by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the state.
The allegations come as the Trump administration has intensified its immigration enforcement efforts nationwide, with a particular focus on the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. ICE has carried out a series of high-profile raids in recent months, sparking fears and uncertainty within the state’s immigrant communities.
According to sources familiar with the matter, federal prosecutors have been gathering information about Minnesota’s governor, Tim Walz, and the state’s attorney general, Keith Ellison, both of whom are Democrats. The nature of the purported investigation remains unclear, but the mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, has denounced the move as a blatant attempt at political intimidation.
“This is not about law and order – it’s about intimidation,” Frey said in a statement. “When you have a Justice Department that is targeting political opponents, that should raise alarm bells for everyone, regardless of party affiliation.”
The reported probe follows a series of high-profile immigration raids carried out by ICE in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in recent months. These operations have led to the detention of dozens of undocumented immigrants, sparking fears within the state’s immigrant communities and drawing criticism from local officials.
Ellison, the state’s attorney general, has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, and has vowed to protect the rights of immigrants in Minnesota. In a statement, Ellison condemned the reported DOJ investigation as a “shameful abuse of power” and a “blatant attempt to silence those who dare to speak out against the administration’s cruel and inhumane policies.”
Walz, the state’s governor, has also expressed concern over the reported probe, calling it a “disturbing development” that undermines the rule of law and democratic institutions.
“The people of Minnesota deserve leaders who will stand up for their rights and protect their communities, not a Justice Department that is more interested in political retribution than upholding the law,” Walz said.
The Trump administration has not commented on the reported investigation, and it remains unclear whether any formal charges or actions will be taken. However, the allegations have only served to heighten the tensions and concerns surrounding the federal government’s immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota.
As the situation continues to unfold, the mayor of Minneapolis and other state officials have vowed to remain vigilant and to continue advocating for the rights and wellbeing of all residents, regardless of their immigration status.
