US justice department subpoenas Minnesota Democrats accused of impeding ICE efforts

The justice department subpoenaed several top officials in Minnesota on Tuesday as part of its investigation into whether Minneapolis officials have conspired to impede federal immigration efforts there.

A copy of a subpoena to the office of the Minneapolis mayor, Jacob Frey, obtained by the Guardian, requests guidance and policies related to immigration enforcement in Minnesota since last year. It also requests communication regarding those policies with other state agencies, as well as documents related to “hindering, doxxing, identifying, or surveilling immigration officers”.

The offices of Minnesota’s governor, Tim Walz, the state attorney general, Keith Ellison, the Hennepin county attorney, Mary Moriarty, and St Paul’s mayor, Kaohly Her, all Democrats, also received subpoenas, the New York Times reported.

“When the federal government weaponizes its power to try to intimidate local leaders for doing their jobs, every American should be concerned. We shouldn’t have to live in a country where people fear that federal law enforcement will be used to play politics or crack down on local voices they disagree with,” Frey said in a statement. “In Minneapolis, we won’t be afraid. We know the difference between right and wrong, and, as mayor, I’ll continue doing the job I was elected to do: keeping our community safe and standing up for our values.”

The justice department is investigating the officials, claiming that they conspired to impede federal immigration agents. Legal experts have said the claim is flimsy.

“DOJ is out of control. The crime of impeding federal agents requires physical force. Speaking out against the way ICE is being deployed is not a crime,” Barbara McQuade, a former US attorney for the eastern district of Michigan, posted on X on Friday.