Two individuals with knowledge of the situation stated on Friday that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have hindered federal immigration enforcement through public statements they have made.
The probe, which Walz and Frey both labeled a bullying tactic intended to intimidate political opponents, centers on potential violations of a conspiracy statute, the sources added.
The sources spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation by name.
CBS News was the first to report on the investigation.
The investigation unfolds amid a multi-week immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and St. Paul—dubbed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—that has resulted in more than 2,500 arrests.
The operation has grown more confrontational since the [redacted], with agents removing people from cars and homes and frequently being [redacted] to depart. State and local officials have repeatedly advised protesters to remain peaceful.
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.”
U.S. Senators Kelly (Arizona) and Slotkin (Michigan) are [redacted] by the Trump administration after appearing with other Democratic lawmakers in a video urging military members to resist “illegal orders.” The administration has also launched a [redacted] against Powell—an unprecedented move for a sitting Federal Reserve chair.
Walz’s office stated it has not received any formal notice of the investigation.
Frey characterized the investigation as an attempt to intimidate him for “standing up for Minneapolis, our local law enforcement, and our residents against the chaos and danger this Administration has brought to our streets.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minneapolis did not immediately comment.
In a post on the [redacted] social media platform following reports of the investigation, [redacted] wrote: “A reminder to all those in Minnesota: No one is above the law.” She did not explicitly mention the investigation.
State Urges Peaceful Demonstrations
With additional protests expected in the Twin Cities this weekend, state authorities have urged demonstrators to avoid confrontation.
“While peaceful expression is protected, any actions that harm people, destroy property or jeopardize public safety will not be tolerated,” said Bob Jacobson, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
His comments came a day after Trump slightly walked back his threat to [redacted] the Insurrection Act to send troops to suppress demonstrations.
“I don’t think there’s any reason right now to use it, but if I needed it, I’d use it,” Trump told reporters outside the White House.
A [redacted] states that federal officers involved in the Minneapolis-area enforcement operation cannot detain or tear-gas peaceful protesters who are not obstructing authorities—including those observing agents.
The case was filed before Good’s shooting on behalf of six Minnesota activists represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Minnesota.
Government attorneys had argued that the officers acted within their legal authority to enforce immigration laws and protect themselves. However, the ACLU contends the officers are violating the constitutional rights of Twin Cities residents.
Detention Fluctuations
A Liberian man who has been shuttled in and out of custody since immigration agents [redacted] with a battering ram was released again on Friday—hours after a routine check-in with authorities led to his second arrest.
Garrison Gibson’s dramatic initial arrest last weekend was captured on video. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan [redacted] on Thursday and freed him, but Gibson was detained again on Friday when he appeared at an immigration office.
A few hours later, Gibson was free again, attorney Marc Prokosch said.
Gibson, 37, who fled the civil war in his West African homeland as a child, had been ordered removed from the U.S.—apparently due to a 2008 drug conviction that was later dismissed. Prokosch said Gibson has remained in the country legally under a supervision order and complied with the requirement to meet regularly with immigration authorities.
In his Thursday order, the judge agreed officials violated regulations by not giving Gibson sufficient notice that his supervision status had been revoked. Prokosch said ICE told him they are “now going through their proper channels” to revoke the order.
911 Caller: Good Shot at Point-Blank Range
Minneapolis authorities released police and fire dispatch logs, plus transcripts of 911 calls related to the fatal shooting of Good. Records show firefighters found what appeared to be two gunshot wounds in her right chest, one in her left forearm, and a possible gunshot wound on the left side of her head.
“They shot her, like, cause she wouldn’t open her car door,” a caller said. “Point blank range in her car.”
Good, 37, was at the wheel of her [redacted] Pilot, which was partially blocking a street. Video showed an officer approached the SUV, demanded she open the door, and grabbed the handle.
Good began to pull forward and turned the vehicle’s wheel to the right. Another ICE officer, Jonathan Ross, pulled his gun and [redacted], jumping back as the SUV moved past him. DHS claims the agent shot Good in self-defense.