Minneapolis Mayor Condemns DOJ Investigation as "Intimidation" Amid ICE Crackdown

MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has vowed that he will not be "intimidated" following reports that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a criminal investigation into him and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

The probe, first reported by CBS News on Friday, January 16, 2026, allegedly centers on public statements made by the two Democratic leaders which the Trump administration claims impeded federal law enforcement. The investigation comes during a period of intense civil unrest and a violent crackdown by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Twin Cities.

Political "Weaponization"

In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), Mayor Frey framed the investigation as a direct retaliatory strike for his attempts to protect local residents from federal overreach.

"This is an obvious attempt to intimidate me for standing up for Minneapolis, local law enforcement, and residents against the chaos and danger this Administration has brought to our city," Frey wrote, adding that his primary focus remains the safety of the city.

Governor Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, echoed these sentiments, describing the move as a "dangerous, authoritarian tactic." Walz pointed to a growing list of political figures currently under investigation by the administration, including Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, as well as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Escalating Tensions Over ICE Shooting

The reported DOJ probe coincides with the release of grim new details regarding the death of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed by ICE officer Jonathan Ross last week.

According to fire department records, Good was found unresponsive in her vehicle with four gunshot wounds, including injuries to her head and chest. While the Trump administration maintains that the officer acted in self-defense, high-ranking officials—including Vice President JD Vance and White House advisor Stephen Miller—have asserted that ICE agents possess "absolute immunity" for their actions on duty.

A Broader Pattern of Probes

The investigations into Frey and Walz appear to be part of a wider effort by the current administration to target high-profile critics. Senators Kelly and Slotkin are reportedly under investigation for a video in which they urged military members to resist "illegal orders," while the probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell marks the first time a sitting chair has faced such criminal scrutiny.

As federal immigration agents continue to clash with protesters in Minnesota, the state has moved forward with legal action against the federal government, further deepening the rift between local leadership and Washington.