The Daily Populous Saturday January 17th, 2026 evening edition
Authored by kstp.com and submitted by ewzetf

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is investigating whether Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have impeded federal immigration enforcement through public statements they have made, according to two people familiar with the matter.

RELATED: Medics found Renee Good had gunshot wounds to chest, forearm, and head

The investigation focused on potential violation of a conspiracy statute, the people said.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss a pending investigation by name.

CBS News first reported the investigation.

RELATED: Neighbors, DHS share conflicting stories on federal agent shooting in north Minneapolis

In response to reports of the investigation, Walz said in a statement: “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’s office said it has not received any notice of an investigation.

DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom also released a statement:

“Governor Walz and Mayor Frey have consistently called for calm, peaceful response as ICE continues to conduct chaotic, violent operations in our state. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is weaponizing the DOJ to target his political enemies, escalating tensions and abusing its power in a way that puts Minnesotans in danger.

“Our elected officials have made it abundantly clear: Trump’s violent and chaotic retribution campaign has no place here. The president and his administration need to stop weaponizing the federal government and turn the temperature down. The only person Donald Trump is not investigating is the ICE agent who killed Renee Good.”

In a post on X, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said, “This is an obvious attempt to intimidate me for standing up for Minneapolis, local law enforcement, and residents against the chaos and danger this Administration has brought to our city. I will not be intimidated. My focus remains where it’s always been: keeping our city safe.”

The investigation comes during a weekslong immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and St. Paul that the Department of Homeland Security has called its largest enforcement operation, resulting in more than 2,500 arrests.

The operation has become more confrontational since the fatal shooting of Renee Good on Jan. 7. State and local officials have repeatedly told protesters to remain peaceful.

Associated Press reporters Ed White and Corey Williams in Detroit; Graham Lee Brewer in Oklahoma City; Jesse Bedayn in Denver; Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu; and Ben Finley in Washington contributed.

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

AdhesivenessFun2060 on January 17th, 2026 at 00:38 UTC »

This will be one of those "ongoing" investigations that never have a conclusion just lots of "we're finding stuff, just wait!"

Worst_Comment_Evar on January 17th, 2026 at 00:37 UTC »

The government is a mafia organization at this point. Pay tribute, bend he knee, or we'll send our capos and enforcers in to solve the issue. This is not democracy.

MalcolmLinair on January 17th, 2026 at 00:33 UTC »

Because "trying to make feds follow the law" is now considered sedition.