A federal judge has blocked an to subpoena Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials, accusing the Justice Department of using its investigatory powers to retaliate against state officials for not cooperating with federal efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.
In a ruling unsealed Monday, U.S. District found the 鈥渄ominant purpose鈥� of the subpoenas was to 鈥渃oerce Minnesota officials into assisting the federal government with enforcing civil immigration law and to harass and retaliate against them for failing to do so.鈥�
Tensions between the Trump administration and Minnesota鈥檚 Democratic leaders escalated in January as federal immigration officers clashed with protesters in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, especially after officers鈥� fatal shootings of and .
President Donald Trump even the Insurrection Act to quell protests and accused Walz, who was Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris鈥� running mate in 2024, and others of encouraging protesters to disrupt Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.
Judge finds 鈥榳eak to nonexistent鈥� reasons for subpoenas
The subpoenas seeking records were served in January as part of an investigation into whether Walz and other officials obstructed or impeded law enforcement actions. They were sent to the offices of Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and officials in Ramsey and Hennepin counties.
The ruling is the by the federal judiciary of Justice Department efforts to aggressively implement the Trump administration agenda in courts and target the president鈥檚 political adversaries through subpoenas and similar demands.
ruled that there appeared to be 鈥渆xtremely weak to nonexistent鈥� connections between the information sought in the subpoenas and any possible criminal violation. The subpoenas seek materials 鈥渢hat largely if not entirely relate to constitutionally protected conduct,鈥� the judge wrote, noting that Minnesota has the legal right not to devote its resources to enforcing federal immigration law.
The Justice Department 鈥渋s not conducting a criminal investigation,鈥� the judge wrote, 鈥渂ut is instead using the grand jury process for other (unlawful) purposes.鈥�
The evidence that the subpoenas were issued for unlawful reasons is overwhelming, the judge said, arguing that the Justice Department 鈥渉as struggled 鈥� without success 鈥� to identify a single plausible investigatory justification鈥� for them.
The Justice Department said in a statement that it 鈥渢akes the unlawful obstruction of federal law enforcement operations extremely seriously and will continue to act in full compliance with the law to investigate these matters.鈥�
Targets hail the judge’s decision
Walz, in a statement, called the ruling 鈥渁 victory for the rule of law and our democracy.鈥�
鈥淭he U.S. Justice Department is pursuing criminal investigations into the President鈥檚 political opponents,鈥� said Walz, the 2024 Democratic nominee for vice president. 鈥淭his case was just one example of that, but we are seeing daily reminders of this administration鈥檚 lawlessness 鈥� in Minnesota and around the country. We all must continue to seek justice and uphold the rule of law.鈥�
Ellison said 鈥渋t should disturb every American that Donald Trump is weaponizing the criminal justice system against people he disagrees with.鈥�
The subpoenas are 鈥渁 politically motivated retaliation against our city for lawfully standing up to ICE and fighting for our residents,鈥� Her said in a statement.
Frey said the investigation was 鈥渘ever about justice, law, and order, but the absence of it.鈥�
鈥淪ubpoenaing political opponents because they spoke on behalf of their constituents violates the core tenets of our democracy and human decency,鈥� he said.
Frey also observed that criticizing government action is not a crime.
鈥淥ne of the defining strengths of our democracy is the ability to challenge those in power without fear of retribution. Elected officials have both the right and the responsibility to speak honestly about how government decisions affect the people they serve,鈥� he said.
Subpoenas were among many federal actions against Minnesota officials
Over the last year, judges have dismissed indictments against two prominent Trump foes, former and New York Attorney General Letitia James, and grand juries have repeatedly refused to return indictments sought by the Justice Department.
The moves reflect mounting public concerns that the Justice Department, an institution meant to make investigative and prosecution decisions independent of the White House, is being politicized under the current Trump administration.
Vice President JD Vance to investigate Walz and Ellison over allegations they failed to stop widespread social services fraud, though the department has not said whether it will open an investigation. Walz and Ellison have described those allegations as politically motivated and defended their efforts to combat fraud in Minnesota.
Meanwhile, other legal battles related to the immigration surge continue. The federal government has suggested Minnesota prosecutors don鈥檛 have jurisdiction to investigate federal officers.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty in March for access to evidence in the Good and Pretti killings, accusing the administration of withholding evidence from state investigators. Moriarty also has against ICE officers in two other incidents, including of a Venezuelan man, and suggests her office several other cases as well.
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Associated Press writer Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report.
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This story has been corrected to show the federal judge’s name is Patrick Schiltz, not Schlitz.
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