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By Anna Commander
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Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut issued a new warning amid reports President Donald Trump's Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
Newsweek reached out to Murphy's office via email for additional comment on Friday night.
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Why It Matters
The reported federal investigation into Walz and Frey marks a significant moment in the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement, state-federal relations and potential use of the justice system against political adversaries.
The inquiry—focusing on alleged conspiracy to impede federal immigration agents—emerges amid growing public outcry following a deadly shooting by a federal officer, mass protests and separate allegations of large-scale welfare fraud in Minnesota.
What To Know
The reported investigation centers on whether the Democratic lawmakers conspired to prevent federal immigration authorities from fulfilling their duties in Minneapolis, according to reports citing unnamed officials and sources.
The investigation comes after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, 37, in Minneapolis on January 7. Good's death was followed by another shooting involving a Venezuelan national.
CBS News reports that the DOJ inquiry centers on potential violations of 18 U.S.C. § 372, a law that criminalizes conspiracy by two or more people to impede federal officers through force, intimidation or threats. Federal investigators are likely scrutinizing whether public statements or actions by Walz and Frey, including their criticism of the federal deployment and support for protests, crossed a legal threshold.
Reacting to the report on X Friday night, Murphy said, "This is what totalitarianism looks like. Occupy a city, use violence and intimidation against protestors, arrest the opposition leaders. If he gets away with it in Minneapolis, then he repeats and repeats. Let's not let him get away with it."
DHS has been publicly critical of Walz and Frey amid the protests in the aftermath of the fatal shooting.
In a post about the non-fatal shooting involving a federal officer in Minneapolis this week, the department said in part on X: "This attack on another brave member of law enforcement took place while Minnesota’s top leaders, Governor Walz and Mayor Frey, are actively encouraging an organized resistance to ICE and federal law enforcement officers. Their hateful rhetoric and resistance against men and women who are simply trying to do their jobs must end. Federal law enforcement officers are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest criminals and lawbreakers."
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What People Are Saying
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, on X Friday: "Today in Minneapolis I met with the U.S. Attorney’s office and visited the brave @thejusticedept and @DHSgov law enforcement officers removing criminal aliens from MN streets. We support those performing their lawful duties to protect public safety and will PROSECUTE anyone attacking or obstructing them. We will provide ALL resources necessary to support immigration enforcement, charge ANYONE impeding or assaulting federal officers, and combat rampant fraud in MN."
Frey, in a statement to CNN on Friday: "This is an obvious attempt to intimidate me for standing up for Minneapolis, our local law enforcement, and our residents against the chaos and danger this Administration has brought to our streets. I will not be intimidated. My focus will remain where it’s always been: keeping our city safe. America depends on leaders that use integrity and the rule of law as the guideposts for governance. Neither our city nor our country will succumb to this fear. We stand rock solid.”
Walz, on X Friday: "Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic. The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her."
What Happens Next
The outcome of the reported DOJ investigation into Walz and Frey could set precedent on the limits of state authority to oppose federal law enforcement operations.
Protests and demonstrations in Minneapolis remain ongoing.
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