From CBS News: The Justice Department is investigating Minnesota officials, including Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, over an alleged conspiracy to impede federal immigration agents, an extraordinary escalation in the Trump administration’s clash with Democratic leaders there, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.
One of the sources, a U.S. official, said the investigation stems from statements that Walz and Frey have made about the thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Border Patrol agents deployed to the Minneapolis region in recent weeks.
A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment. CBS News reached out to representatives for Walz and Frey.
Nearly 3,000 federal immigration agents have been dispatched to Minneapolis, with a stated objective of arresting people suspected of being in the U.S. illegally and probing allegations of fraud in Minnesota. The Department of Homeland Security has called the massive deployment the largest operation in its history.
An unnamed U.S. official reportedly said in a statement to CBS News that the federal investigation is focused on a federal statute, 18 U.S.C. § 372, which makes it a crime for two or more people to conspire to prevent federal officers from carrying out their official duties through “force, intimidation or threats.”
A reminder to all those in Minnesota: No one is above the law.
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) January 17, 2026
While saying that protesters should remain “peaceful,” Frey and Walz, both Democrats, have repeatedly raged against ICE operations in Minneapolis, and have continued to remind people they have a right to protest, pouring fuel on the fire amid the violent anti-ICE protests.
At one recent press conference, Frey went on a rampage against ICE, and said they should “get the f**k out of Minneapolis!”
Walz has suggested that Minnesota is “at war” with the federal government. In a speech Thursday night, Walz called on the protesters to stay in the streets and keep track of ICE agents by filming their activities with their phones, and declared the video footage is needed to “bank evidence for future prosecution.”
Walz even declared at a press conference last week that it was Minnesotans’ “patriotic duty” to get out and protest and speak out against the Trump administration.
Tampon Tim Walz says it’s “a patriotic duty” to protest ICE.
Only a deranged, sick individual would encourage his constituents to obstruct the arrests of criminal illegal aliens. pic.twitter.com/VyiZR4SXBV
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 7, 2026
🚨 JUST IN: “Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey are under FEDERAL INVESTIGATION for allegedly interfering with immigration enforcement in Minnesota.”
FAFO, TRAITORS.
Ramp the investigation up and bring on the criminal INDICTMENT! The games are OVER. pic.twitter.com/gLyoRvXE6v
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 16, 2026
READ MORE from CBS News.
BREAKING: The DOJ is investigating Gov. Walz and Mayor Frey for obstructing law enforcement activities, officials say. https://t.co/vdRNQdXXXj
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 16, 2026
Gov. Walz fans the flames amid anti-ICE protests, Trump administration fires back
VIDEO: Minneapolis mayor and police chief give jaw-dropping response to violent attack on ICE agent
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