USA Media: Investigation into politicians critical of ICE in Minnesota
Two high-ranking Democrats known for their harsh criticism of ICE immigration raids in the US state of Minnesota have reportedly become the focus of Justice Department investigators. Several US media outlets reported, citing unnamed sources, that Governor Tim Walz and the mayor of the city of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, are under investigation.
17.01.2026, 07:23
SDA
The Department of Justice did not initially comment on the media reports. CNN reported that the Justice Department's investigation is about possible obstruction of prosecution by federal authorities.
Mayor: "I will not be intimidated"
Mayor Frey wrote in an X-Post, in which he also linked to the CNN report, that it was an attempt at intimidation. "I will not be intimidated." He said the government had brought chaos to the city.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi wrote on X Friday night: "A reminder to everyone in Minnesota: no one is above the law." She did not give details of what she was referring to.
Woman shot during ICE operation
The city of Minneapolis was recently in the headlines because an officer shot and killed a US citizen during an ICE operation. The US government defended the action as self-defense. Democrats and protesters, on the other hand, sharply criticized the operation and spoke of excessive force and a lack of transparency in the investigation.
According to the government, the woman steered her car towards an ICE officer. Videos tend to give the impression that he shot at her while her car drove past him.
The incident sparked protests across the country and led to legal battles between the state and federal government.
Tense situation in Minnesota
In the state of Minnesota, where Minneapolis is located, there have long been protests against large-scale operations by the immigration authority ICE. They are looking for people who are in the USA without legal papers in order to deport them. According to reports, it sometimes acts with excessive severity and also targets US citizens. The ICE operations are part of the intensified deportation policy in US President Donald Trump's second term in office. Walz and Frey have repeatedly criticized the ICE operations on a massive scale.
