Two prominent Democratic leaders in Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, are facing a federal investigation related to allegations that they obstructed the operations of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The inquiry comes amid escalating tensions between the Trump administration and state officials over immigration enforcement and public protests.
According to U.S. media reports, including CBS News, the investigation by the Department of Justice examines statements made by Walz and Frey concerning ICE operations in Minnesota. Federal authorities have previously limited the tools available to ICE officers in Minneapolis, including the use of pepper spray and the detention of peaceful protesters, as part of a broader effort to reduce confrontations between law enforcement and residents.
The scrutiny intensified after the death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer during a recent operation. Reports indicate that Good was found with multiple injuries, including at least three gunshot wounds and possibly a fourth to the head. Local medical personnel declared her dead en route to the hospital.
Governor Walz responded to the federal inquiry via social media, stating, “Ensuring accountability for those who oppose you is a powerful legal tool. The only individual not under investigation for Renee Good’s death is the federal officer who fired the shots.”
Mayor Frey similarly condemned attempts at intimidation, telling the BBC, “I will not be cowed.” Both leaders have called for calm while encouraging peaceful protests in the city, even as some Trump administration officials characterized their statements as inflammatory. Frey has demanded that ICE withdraw its officers from Minneapolis.
The federal investigation centers on 18 U.S.C. § 372, a law criminalizing conspiracies to obstruct federal officers in the performance of their duties through force, intimidation, or threats. A U.S. official told CBS News that the inquiry seeks to determine whether local leaders coordinated actions to interfere with ICE enforcement.
Protests in Minneapolis have persisted, with the U.S. District Court Judge Katherine Menendez issuing orders limiting ICE’s authority to use physical force against demonstrators. The injunction covers thousands of federal personnel being deployed to the city, restricting the detention of peaceful protesters and interference with individuals in vehicles where no probable cause exists.
Video footage of the incident involving Renee Good shows her in her vehicle, apparently honking the horn to alert nearby residents of the federal operation. ICE officers reportedly approached her car to enforce immigration law. According to officials, Good attempted to maneuver the vehicle, prompting an officer to fire a gun. Eyewitness reports and CBS News indicate she was struck multiple times, leading to her death before reaching the hospital.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that an officer involved in the shooting sustained minor internal bleeding, but further details regarding their condition have not been disclosed. The FBI is investigating the incident, though no federal civil rights probe has been reported against the officer.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has publicly criticized local leaders and protesters, labeling them on Truth Social as “highly paid professionals” and claiming that Walz and Frey “completely lost control.” Trump stated he had no immediate plans to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy federal troops to Minnesota, despite suggesting earlier in the week that such action might be possible if unrest escalated.
Thousands of ICE personnel remain stationed in the state as part of ongoing immigration enforcement operations. Democratic lawmakers have strongly condemned the federal activities, accusing the agency of recklessness and intimidation.
Representative Ilhan Omar, who represents Minnesota in Congress and has been a frequent critic of the Trump administration, claimed ICE is attempting to “create chaos and fear.” Adriano Espaillat, a New York congressman, described ICE as “a lethal tool,” while Representative Pramila Jayapal noted that officers should not be detaining individuals for merely exercising their rights.
Several Minnesota residents have alleged they were held for hours in ICE custody despite being U.S. citizens. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin dismissed these claims as “fabricated” and accused critics of inciting unrest. “ICE does not detain or deport U.S. citizens. Any detention occurs only when individuals interfere with or attack law enforcement,” she said.
The situation underscores the mounting friction between federal immigration authorities and local governments in states governed by Democrats, highlighting the challenges of balancing enforcement with civil liberties and public safety. Observers warn that the ongoing standoff could have broader political implications, particularly as national elections approach and immigration remains a contentious issue in U.S. politics.
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