DOJ Says Records & Communications Sought Amid Criminal Investigation Into Alleged Efforts To Impede Federal Immigration Enforcement In The Twin Cities

Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 5:30 P.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor & Art Fletcher, Executive Editor: Englebrook Independent News,

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN.- The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed Tuesday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has served federal grand jury subpoenas on Minnesota Democratic offices, including the offices of Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota, and Jacob Frey, Mayor of Minneapolis.

     The subpoenas are part of a criminal investigation examining whether state and local officials obstructed justice or impeded federal law enforcement during a Department of Homeland Security immigration enforcement initiative known as “Operation Metro Surge,” conducted in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

     According to reporting confirmed by multiple national news organizations, the subpoenas seek official records, internal memoranda, emails, text messages, and other communications relating to how Minnesota state and municipal offices coordinated, or allegedly interfered with, federal immigration enforcement activity during the operation.

Subpoenas Expand Beyond Walz And Frey;

     National reporting indicates the scope of the federal inquiry extends beyond the governor and the Minneapolis mayor. According to the Associated Press, subpoenas were also issued to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the offices of additional local officials, including the Mayor of Saint Paul.

     The subpoenas were issued by a federal grand jury, signaling that prosecutors are actively gathering evidence to determine whether criminal statutes, including obstruction of justice, conspiracy, or impeding federal officers, may have been violated.

     At this stage, the Department of Justice has not publicly named targets of the investigation nor announced formal criminal charges.

DOJ Examining Alleged Interference With Federal Enforcement;

     According to Reuters, the Justice Department’s inquiry centers on whether actions taken by Minnesota officials, either through directives, public messaging, or coordination with local agencies, were intended to delay, disrupt, or prevent federal immigration enforcement efforts during Operation Metro Surge.

     Federal authorities have characterized the operation as a large-scale immigration enforcement initiative that resulted in thousands of arrests across the Twin Cities metropolitan area. State and local leaders, however, have publicly criticized the operation, arguing it undermined community trust and exceeded federal authority.

     The subpoenas represent a significant escalation in an already tense legal and political standoff between Minnesota’s Democratic leadership and the federal government. 

Political And Legal Tensions Intensify;

     The investigation follows weeks of heightened unrest in Minnesota, including protests and public demonstrations tied to immigration enforcement activity and a fatal ICE-related incident involving Renée Nicole Good, which intensified scrutiny of both federal tactics and local responses.

     The Washington Post has reported that the Justice Department has taken steps to increase staffing within the U.S. Attorney’s Office overseeing the matter, signaling that prosecutors are preparing for the possibility of criminal proceedings related to Operation Metro Surge.

Walz And Frey Push Back;

     In public statements reported by Reuters, both Governor Walz and Mayor Frey criticized the investigation, characterizing it as politically motivated.

     Governor Walz described the federal action as a “partisan distraction,” while Mayor Frey reiterated his long-standing opposition to aggressive federal immigration enforcement, stating that Minneapolis would not assist in what he described as intimidation tactics against immigrant communities.

     Neither office has confirmed whether documents have already been produced in response to the subpoenas.

What Comes Next;

     Grand jury subpoenas typically require recipients to preserve and produce requested materials within a defined timeframe, though exact deadlines are rarely disclosed publicly.

Legal experts note that the next steps in the process may include:

• Formal document production and review
• Requests for sworn testimony from staff or officials
• Prosecutorial determinations on whether evidence supports criminal charges

     As of publication, the Department of Justice has declined to release further details regarding the scope or timeline of the investigation.

Editor’s Note:

This article was written by Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor, and is based on verified reporting from Reuters, the Associated Press, The Washington Post, and confirmed and fact-checked by Art Fletcher, Executive Editor, concerning the FBI’s service of federal grand jury subpoenas related to “Operation Metro Surge.” Englebrook Independent News will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as additional verified information, court filings, or charging decisions become available.