Tim Walz and Minneapolis mayor under criminal investigation after anti-ICE protests as Trump threatens city
Tim Walz and Jacob Frey are reportedly under investigation following the anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis.
The Department of Justice has allegedly launched an investigation into Walz, the governor of Minnesota, and Frey, the mayor of Minneapolis, CBS News reports.
Protests within the city have ramped up following the death of Renee Nicole Good, after the 37-year-old mom-of-three was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on January 7, during the ongoing ICE raids throughout Minneapolis.
The Trump administration claimed that Good was a 'domestic terrorist' and was allegedly attempting to kill the officer, who was later identified as Jonathan Ross; however, video footage appears to have challenged this narrative.
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It has now been reported that Walz and Frey are under investigation for allegedly impeding federal law enforcement, with a US official source claiming to CBS that the investigation has arisen from comments made by Walz and Frey on the deployment of ICE and Border Patrol agents to the state recently.
The Democrats have denounced the deployment and called for protests to be peaceful, with Frey explaining earlier this week: "We're in a position right now where we have residents that are asking the very limited number of police officers that we have to fight ICE agents on the street.
"We cannot be at a place right now in America where we have two governmental entities that are literally fighting one another."
Following reports of the investigation, Frey told CBS News: "This is an obvious attempt to intimidate me for standing up for Minneapolis, our local law enforcement, and our residents against the chaos and danger this Administration has brought to our streets.
"I will not be intimidated. My focus will remain where it's always been: keeping our city safe."
Meanwhile, Walz said: "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.
"The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her."
The news comes after thousands of immigration officers were present in Minneapolis.
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social: "In Minnesota, the Troublemakers, Agitators, and Insurrectionists are, in many cases, highly paid professionals. The Governor and Mayor don't know what to do, they have totally lost control, and our currently being rendered, USELESS!
"If, and when, I am forced to act, it will be solved, QUICKLY and EFFECTIVELY!"
Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X: "A reminder to all those in Minnesota: No one is above the law."
According to the BBC, Trump has also threatened to implement the Insurrection Act, which allows active-duty guards to be dispatched for law enforcement duties, should Minnesota officials fail to stop the 'professional agitators and insurrectionists'.
UNILAD has reached out to Walz, Frey and the Department of Justice for comment.
Topics: US News, Donald Trump, Politics
Lucy Devine