As ICE’s violent crackdown continues, reports have emerged that the Trump administration is investigating Democratic Party officials in Minnesota.
Published January 17, 2026
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said he “will not be intimidated” after reports that the Trump administration has launched an investigation into his comments about curbing violent attacks on immigrants in the city.
On Friday, multiple media outlets reported that the U.S. Department of Justice had opened a criminal investigation against Frey and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who is also a 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate, for obstructing federal law enforcement through public statements.
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The investigation was first reported by CBS News, but the Justice Department did not immediately publicly acknowledge it.
“This is a clear attempt to intimidate me as I stand up on behalf of Minneapolis, local law enforcement, and residents against the chaos and danger this administration has brought to our city,” Frey said in a post on X in response to the investigative report.
“I am not intimidated. My focus remains as always on keeping our city safe,” Frey wrote.
Walz indirectly responded to reports that he was also under investigation, saying in a statement: “Weaponizing the judicial system to intimidate political opponents is a dangerous and authoritarian tactic.
“Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. The year before that it was Mark Kelly,” Walz added.
Sen. Kerry of Arizona and Sen. Slotkin of Michigan are under investigation by the Trump administration after they appeared with other Democrats in a video urging military personnel to resist “unlawful orders” from their superiors.
The administration also launched a criminal investigation against Mr. Powell, the first sitting Federal Reserve chairman to do so.
The investigation into Frey and Walz came as more details emerged on Friday in the shooting death of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross, according to reports.
According to fire department records, paramedics found the victim unresponsive in his car with four apparent gunshot wounds, including one to the head and two to the chest.
Paramedics attempted to resuscitate her both at the scene and in the ambulance en route to the hospital. She was pronounced dead less than an hour after being shot.
The Trump administration has maintained that the ICE officer who shot Goode was acting in self-defense, although he has not been charged in the killing.
Trump officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance and White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, said ICE agents have “absolute immunity” for their actions.
