ST. PAUL, Minn. — The FBI has served grand jury subpoenas to six Minnesota government offices, including Gov. Tim Walz’s office, as part of a federal investigation into allegations of conspiring to coerce or obstruct federal law enforcement.
According to ChannelZ NOW and the Associated Press, subpoenas were also delivered to the offices of Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, and officials in Ramsey and Hennepin counties.
The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking records and communications connected to the investigation. Gov. Tim Walz’s office confirmed to ChannelZ NOW that a subpoena was received. Ellison’s office did not confirm whether it had been served. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s office said it received the subpoena Tuesday afternoon and has been ordered to appear at the federal courthouse at 9 a.m. on Feb. 3.
The subpoenas come as state and local officials, along with activists and protesters, have publicly called for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave Minnesota, particularly following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE on Jan. 7.
ChannelZ NOW News reported that the subpoenas are tied to a federal probe examining whether there was a conspiracy to obstruct or interfere with federal law enforcement during the Department of Homeland Security’s Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota.
In a statement to ChannelZ NOW, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the use of federal power to intimidate local leaders should concern all Americans. He said he would continue carrying out his duties as mayor, emphasizing public safety and standing by the values of the city.
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her also released a statement after her office received a subpoena, saying she was not intimidated and would remain committed to protecting residents and the community.
During a news conference marking the end of the first year of his second term, President Donald Trump highlighted arrests made during the Minnesota surge, describing those detained as some of the “worst of the worst.” He cited Department of Homeland Security data showing that as of Jan. 14, 212 individuals labeled as top offenders had been arrested in Minnesota since Operation Metro Surge began, out of about 2,000 arrests at that time.
According to DHS figures, those arrests included individuals accused of violent crimes, sexual offenses, fraud, trafficking, drug charges, and driving while intoxicated.
Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino defended ICE operations in Minnesota during a separate news conference, rejecting criticism over racial profiling and use of force. Bovino said protesters in Minneapolis appeared more organized than in other cities and alleged coordination between elected officials and activists. He maintained that ICE operations were legal and focused on arresting dangerous criminal suspects.
Since Operation Metro Surge began in December, ICE has reported more than 3,000 arrests statewide.
Separately, the FBI released new surveillance images of a suspect wanted in connection with thefts from federal vehicles in Minneapolis. Authorities are offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the suspect, who allegedly stole government property from vehicles at the scene of an ICE officer-involved shooting near 24th Avenue North and 6th Street North. Anyone with information has been asked to contact the FBI.
