January 16, 2026
DOJ opens criminal investigation into Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for alleged obstruction
Federal prosecutors target state officials who criticized ICE operations
⚖️Justice🛂Immigration
The Justice Department opened a criminal investigation into Minnesota Gov. 
Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Jan. 16, 2026, examining whether they obstructed or impeded federal immigration enforcement. The investigation stems from statements and actions by Walz and Frey regarding thousands of ICE agents conducting operations in the Twin Cities. Federal prosecutors are determining if the officials' public criticism and lack of cooperation with ICE constitutes criminal obstruction of federal law enforcement.
The investigation follows the fatal shooting of protester Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent during protests in Minneapolis. Thousands of ICE agents deployed to the Twin Cities as part of Trump's immigration enforcement operations. Protests erupted after the shooting, with Walz and Frey publicly criticizing ICE's tactics and calling for agents to leave the city. The Trump administration claims the officials encouraged protesters to obstruct federal agents.
Gov. Walz called the DOJ investigation frankly very disappointing and stated all state officials were doing their best under both administrations. He denied obstructing federal agents and said his criticism of ICE tactics was protected First Amendment activity. Minneapolis Mayor Frey called the probe a disgusting abuse of power and accused Trump of weaponizing the DOJ against his perceived enemies. Both officials said they would cooperate with the investigation.
Multiple Democratic leaders condemned the investigation as politically motivated. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the probe a bogus investigation for doing your job and accused Republicans of hiding. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said the investigation is an assault on our democracy and the rule of law. California Gov. Gavin Newsom warned that no one is safe from Trump's abuse of power. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker labeled it a disgusting abuse of power and a farce.
DHS Secretary 
Kristi Noem defended the investigation and said Trump has the constitutional authority to invoke the Insurrection Act if protests continue. Trump threatened on Truth Social that he may intervene if protests don't stop, calling demonstrators troublemakers, agitators, and insurrectionists who are in many cases highly paid professionals. He said the governor and mayor have totally lost control and are being rendered useless.
The investigation raises constitutional questions about when federal prosecutors can investigate state officials for public criticism of federal actions. Legal experts noted that protected First Amendment speech can't be criminalized just because it's critical of federal policy. However, actively conspiring to physically obstruct federal agents could constitute criminal activity. The key legal question is whether Walz and Frey's statements crossed the line from protected speech to criminal conspiracy.
The Trump administration has deployed up to 3,000 ICE agents to Minneapolis, far exceeding normal operations. Democrats claim this massive deployment is designed to provoke confrontation and create pretext for invoking the Insurrection Act, which would allow Trump to deploy military forces to suppress protests. Republicans argue the deployment is necessary because local officials refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement and are encouraging civil unrest.
House Democratic Leader 
Hakeem Jeffries said Democratic leadership will ensure that the lawmakers who have been contacted by DOJ will have the highest quality legal representation. Several Democratic members of Congress from Minnesota reported being contacted by federal prosecutors. Jeffries said here's the thing, let's be clear to the Department of Justice, you're not intimidating any of us.
⚖️Justice🛂Immigration
People, bills, and sources
What you can do
1
civic action
Contact Senate Judiciary Committee about DOJ politicization
Demand oversight hearings on whether DOJ is being weaponized to prosecute political opponents for protected First Amendment criticism of federal policy.
Hi, I'm calling to demand oversight hearings on the DOJ investigation into Minnesota Gov. Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Frey.\n\nKey points to mention:\n- DOJ opened criminal investigation into state officials for criticizing ICE tactics\n- This appears to be retaliation for protected First Amendment speech\n- Multiple Democratic leaders say this is weaponization of federal law enforcement\n- The investigation follows ICE shooting of protester Renee Nicole Good\n\nQuestions to ask:\n- Will the committee hold hearings on DOJ politicization?\n- What protections exist for state officials who criticize federal policy?\n\nSpecific request: I want the committee to investigate whether DOJ is being weaponized against political opponents and pass legislation protecting state officials from federal prosecution for speech.\n\nThank you for your time.
2
civic action
Support legal defense fund for Walz and Frey
Contribute to legal defense to fight federal prosecution of state officials exercising First Amendment rights to criticize federal policy.
info@dfl.org
3
civic action
File FOIA request for DOJ investigation documents
Request DOJ documents showing basis for obstruction investigation to determine if prosecution is politically motivated or based on actual evidence of criminal activity.
doj.oip.foia@usdoj.gov
Submit FOIA request for DOJ investigation documents:\n\nRequest:\nAll documents related to the criminal investigation into Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced on Jan. 16, 2026, including:\n- Investigative memos establishing probable cause\n- Communications between White House and DOJ about the investigation\n- Evidence of obstruction or conspiracy\n- Internal DOJ discussions about First Amendment protections\n\nCite: 5 U.S.C. § 552\n\nFee waiver request: This information is in the public interest to determine if DOJ is being used for political prosecution.\n\nFOIA responses typically take 20-30 days but can be expedited for urgent public interest.