Federal prosecutors have escalated tensions with Minnesota officials this week, issuing subpoenas to Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Twin Cities mayors over their opposition to former President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement actions. The move comes amid a controversial surge of ICE operations in Minneapolis-St. Paul since late 2025.
📄 Paper Trail or Political Play?
Subpoenas demand records related to local authorities’ cooperation—or lack thereof—with federal immigration agents. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly shared his subpoena, calling it a “chilling overreach” aimed at silencing critics. ICE agents, clad in military gear, have conducted sweeping raids this winter, sparking protests and allegations of racial profiling.
🚨 Clashes & Controversies
The crackdown turned deadly two weeks ago when ICE agents fatally shot 34-year-old Renee Good during a chaotic arrest attempt. Viral videos show agents using tear gas on crowds and wrongfully detaining U.S. citizens, including a man dragged from his home in subzero temperatures wearing only underwear.
🗣️ Walz: “Resist Illegal Orders”
Governor Walz, a 2024 vice presidential candidate, accused Trump of weaponizing the DOJ to target political rivals. He’s urged Minnesotans to document ICE interactions for potential lawsuits. Legal experts call the subpoenas rare and politically charged, noting grand juries previously rejected similar DOJ efforts in New York.
As snow blankets the Midwest, the frost between federal and state leaders shows no signs of thawing. 🌨️⚖️
