DOJ subpoenas Walz & Frey: Is this a political witch hunt or legitimate probe into immigration interference?
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Jan 19, 2026, 18:17 IST
Federal scrutiny has turned towards Minnesota's leadership as Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey become the subjects of an investigation, with subpoenas said to be on the horizon. This comes at a crucial time when community groups are working to safeguard educational institutions from immigration agents after a recent deadly shooting.
The U.S. Justice Department is reportedly investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for an alleged conspiracy to impede immigration agents, with subpoenas prepared for both officials. This probe unfolds amidst heightened tensions in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, leading to community efforts to protect schools from federal immigration personnel. Simultaneously, the Justice Department is opposing a special master for the release of Jeffrey Epstein files, while anti-ICE demonstrators have clashed with far-right activists in Minneapolis. In other news, American CEOs are offering mild pushback against President Trump's policies, Virginia Democrats are advancing a redistricting map that could gain them House seats, and the Justice Department is suing Virginia over voter rolls. Vice President JD Vance will lead the U.S. delegation to the Winter Olympics, and the Pentagon is preparing troops for potential deployment to Minnesota. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that European "weakness" necessitates U.S. control of Greenland, and the Trump administration has dropped its plan to merge the ATF into the DEA. The White House is also considering executive action to cap credit card rates.
The U.S. Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation into Minnesota officials, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, over an alleged conspiracy to impede immigration agents. A source familiar with the probe indicated that subpoenas have been prepared for Walz and Frey as part of this inquiry, though it remains unclear if they have been served.
In Minneapolis, community members are maintaining a vigilant watch over schools, employing whistles and walkie-talkies to alert others to the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Peter Brown, an 81-year-old retired lawyer, was observed standing guard outside Green Central Elementary on a frigid Friday afternoon. He was equipped with a neon green vest, a whistle, and a walkie-talkie, his attention focused on passing cars and pedestrians near the school. This heightened security measure comes in the wake of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shooting Renee Good the previous week, near the school which offers instruction in English and Spanish.
The U.S. Justice Department has formally requested a New York federal judge to deny a special master appointment for the Epstein files. Two lawmakers had sought this appointment to oversee the public release of records connected to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Justice Department has been releasing batches of documents related to its Epstein investigations since December. However, U.S. Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie have expressed criticism regarding the department's pace in this process.
Hundreds of anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis successfully dispersed a small contingent of far-right activists who had intended to march through a neighborhood with a significant immigrant population. This confrontation occurred on Saturday, exacerbating tensions in a city already on edge following the killing of Renee Good by a federal immigration agent ten days prior. Waving signs and chanting slogans calling for the departure of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents from Minneapolis, the anti-ICE protesters convened downtown near City Hall. A significant number of them advanced, quickly forcing approximately ten far-right demonstrators to retreat to the exterior of the municipal government center. Some individuals in the larger crowd reportedly threw water balloons, drenching the far-right demonstrators in temperatures that reached -4 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 Celsius) with the wind chill.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Suzanne Clark urged executives to be "fearless" in their defense of free markets against government control. Speaking before a darkened ballroom on Thursday, she emphasized that the U.S. must remain "open to the world, open to the global exchange of talent and goods and ideas and innovation." These remarks from the head of a prominent U.S. business lobby group are being interpreted as a subtle challenge to President Donald Trump, who has engaged in business matters more directly than previous U.S. presidents. His actions have included directing U.S. stakes in tech companies, asserting control over corporate equity structures, imposing tariffs, and advancing immigration policies that are opposed by the Chamber.
Virginia's Democratic-controlled Senate has approved a constitutional amendment that, if ratified by voters, would empower lawmakers to redraw the state's congressional district boundaries. This change could potentially result in Democrats gaining up to four U.S. House of Representatives seats. This development represents the latest move in a nationwide redistricting contest between Republicans and Democrats ahead of the November midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. Democrats require a net gain of only three Republican-held districts to secure a majority in the 435-seat House, making each seat critically important.
The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the state of Virginia, alleging its failure to produce complete voter registration lists. The DOJ announced this action in a statement released on Friday.
Vice President JD Vance will lead the American presidential delegation to the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Winter Games. President Donald Trump made this announcement on Saturday. Vance will be accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, the second lady of the United States, for the ceremony scheduled for February 6, marking the official commencement of the Games.
The Pentagon has directed approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers stationed in Alaska to prepare for a potential deployment to Minnesota. This order comes in response to large protests against the government's deportation initiatives in the state. Two U.S. officials informed Reuters on Sunday that the U.S. Army has placed these units on prepare-to-deploy orders as a precautionary measure in case violence escalates in the Midwestern state. However, it remains uncertain whether any of these troops will ultimately be sent.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that European "weakness" necessitates U.S. control of Greenland for the sake of global stability. He made these remarks on Sunday, even as some lawmakers have voiced concerns about the Trump administration's efforts to acquire the Arctic territory, which is currently held by Denmark. Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press" program, Bessent argued that taking ownership of Greenland is a critical move in a geopolitical strategy involving Russia and China. His comments followed President Donald Trump's vow the previous day to implement tariffs on European Union members that oppose a U.S. acquisition of Greenland, including Denmark, a long-standing and staunch ally of Washington.
The Trump administration has reportedly abandoned its proposal to merge the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) into the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This reversal follows opposition from both gun-rights and gun-control advocacy groups, according to CNN, which cited individuals briefed on the matter. The report indicates that this decision comes as the White House is seeking Senate confirmation for Robert Cekada, the ATF's deputy director, to assume the role of permanent director.
The White House is reportedly considering an executive action to implement President Donald Trump's proposal for capping credit card interest rates. Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing individuals familiar with the matter, that this plan is still under development. Administration officials are currently discussing the specifics of the proposal with industry representatives and members of Congress. The initiative is intended to lower interest rates on credit cards as part of a broader effort to reduce costs for American consumers.
The U.S. Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation into Minnesota officials, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, over an alleged conspiracy to impede immigration agents. A source familiar with the probe indicated that subpoenas have been prepared for Walz and Frey as part of this inquiry, though it remains unclear if they have been served.
In Minneapolis, community members are maintaining a vigilant watch over schools, employing whistles and walkie-talkies to alert others to the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Peter Brown, an 81-year-old retired lawyer, was observed standing guard outside Green Central Elementary on a frigid Friday afternoon. He was equipped with a neon green vest, a whistle, and a walkie-talkie, his attention focused on passing cars and pedestrians near the school. This heightened security measure comes in the wake of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shooting Renee Good the previous week, near the school which offers instruction in English and Spanish.
The U.S. Justice Department has formally requested a New York federal judge to deny a special master appointment for the Epstein files. Two lawmakers had sought this appointment to oversee the public release of records connected to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Justice Department has been releasing batches of documents related to its Epstein investigations since December. However, U.S. Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie have expressed criticism regarding the department's pace in this process.
Hundreds of anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis successfully dispersed a small contingent of far-right activists who had intended to march through a neighborhood with a significant immigrant population. This confrontation occurred on Saturday, exacerbating tensions in a city already on edge following the killing of Renee Good by a federal immigration agent ten days prior. Waving signs and chanting slogans calling for the departure of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents from Minneapolis, the anti-ICE protesters convened downtown near City Hall. A significant number of them advanced, quickly forcing approximately ten far-right demonstrators to retreat to the exterior of the municipal government center. Some individuals in the larger crowd reportedly threw water balloons, drenching the far-right demonstrators in temperatures that reached -4 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 Celsius) with the wind chill.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Suzanne Clark urged executives to be "fearless" in their defense of free markets against government control. Speaking before a darkened ballroom on Thursday, she emphasized that the U.S. must remain "open to the world, open to the global exchange of talent and goods and ideas and innovation." These remarks from the head of a prominent U.S. business lobby group are being interpreted as a subtle challenge to President Donald Trump, who has engaged in business matters more directly than previous U.S. presidents. His actions have included directing U.S. stakes in tech companies, asserting control over corporate equity structures, imposing tariffs, and advancing immigration policies that are opposed by the Chamber.
Virginia's Democratic-controlled Senate has approved a constitutional amendment that, if ratified by voters, would empower lawmakers to redraw the state's congressional district boundaries. This change could potentially result in Democrats gaining up to four U.S. House of Representatives seats. This development represents the latest move in a nationwide redistricting contest between Republicans and Democrats ahead of the November midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. Democrats require a net gain of only three Republican-held districts to secure a majority in the 435-seat House, making each seat critically important.
The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the state of Virginia, alleging its failure to produce complete voter registration lists. The DOJ announced this action in a statement released on Friday.
Vice President JD Vance will lead the American presidential delegation to the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Winter Games. President Donald Trump made this announcement on Saturday. Vance will be accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, the second lady of the United States, for the ceremony scheduled for February 6, marking the official commencement of the Games.
The Pentagon has directed approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers stationed in Alaska to prepare for a potential deployment to Minnesota. This order comes in response to large protests against the government's deportation initiatives in the state. Two U.S. officials informed Reuters on Sunday that the U.S. Army has placed these units on prepare-to-deploy orders as a precautionary measure in case violence escalates in the Midwestern state. However, it remains uncertain whether any of these troops will ultimately be sent.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that European "weakness" necessitates U.S. control of Greenland for the sake of global stability. He made these remarks on Sunday, even as some lawmakers have voiced concerns about the Trump administration's efforts to acquire the Arctic territory, which is currently held by Denmark. Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press" program, Bessent argued that taking ownership of Greenland is a critical move in a geopolitical strategy involving Russia and China. His comments followed President Donald Trump's vow the previous day to implement tariffs on European Union members that oppose a U.S. acquisition of Greenland, including Denmark, a long-standing and staunch ally of Washington.
The Trump administration has reportedly abandoned its proposal to merge the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) into the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This reversal follows opposition from both gun-rights and gun-control advocacy groups, according to CNN, which cited individuals briefed on the matter. The report indicates that this decision comes as the White House is seeking Senate confirmation for Robert Cekada, the ATF's deputy director, to assume the role of permanent director.
The White House is reportedly considering an executive action to implement President Donald Trump's proposal for capping credit card interest rates. Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing individuals familiar with the matter, that this plan is still under development. Administration officials are currently discussing the specifics of the proposal with industry representatives and members of Congress. The initiative is intended to lower interest rates on credit cards as part of a broader effort to reduce costs for American consumers.