A federal judge has quashed six grand jury subpoenas issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) targeting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and other state and local officials. U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz ruled that the subpoenas were issued to harass political opponents and coerce them into assisting with federal immigration enforcement, finding no legitimate investigatory justification for the demands.
The subpoenas, issued in January, sought records and communications related to state and local resistance to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, including Operation Metro Surge. The judge, a George W. Bush appointee, wrote that the DOJ’s actions were "blatantly unlawful and unethical," noting that the subpoenas followed public criticism from President Donald Trump and threats of retribution against Minnesota officials.
The subpoenas were served shortly after protests against the immigration surge, which resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens. The state and local officials had filed a lawsuit challenging the federal operation, prompting Trump to accuse them of fueling violence. The DOJ argued the subpoenas were necessary for a federal probe, but the judge found no evidence to support that claim.
The ruling limits the federal government’s authority to use the grand jury process to pressure state and local officials, reinforcing constitutional protections against federal overreach. The DOJ did not immediately respond to requests for comment.