US Justice Department Subpoenas Minnesota Democrats Accused of Impeding Immigration Efforts
The US Department of Justice has issued subpoenas to several high-ranking officials in Minnesota as part of an investigation into alleged conspiracy to impede federal immigration efforts. The subpoenas were served on the office of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, as well as the state's governor, Tim Walz, attorney general Keith Ellison, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, and St Paul's mayor Kaohly Her, all Democrats.
According to a copy of the subpoena obtained by the Guardian, the Justice Department is seeking guidance on immigration policies implemented in Minnesota since last year, as well as communication between state agencies regarding those policies. The agency also wants documents related to alleged "hindering, doxxing, identifying, or surveilling" immigration officers.
Critics say the investigation is a thinly veiled attempt to intimidate local leaders who have spoken out against the way federal immigration agents are being deployed in their communities. "When the federal government weaponizes its power to try to intimidate local leaders for doing their jobs, every American should be concerned," Mayor Frey stated. "We won't be afraid. We know the difference between right and wrong, and we'll continue doing our job: keeping our community safe and standing up for our values."
Legal experts have disputed the Justice Department's claims, saying that impeding federal agents requires physical force and speaking out against their methods is not a crime. "DOJ is out of control," former US Attorney Barbara McQuade said. "The crime of impeding federal agents requires physical force. Speaking out against the way ICE is being deployed is not a crime."
It remains to be seen how this investigation will unfold, but one thing is clear: the actions of local leaders are being closely watched by federal authorities, and the relationship between immigration enforcement and community safety is a contentious issue in the country.
The US Department of Justice has issued subpoenas to several high-ranking officials in Minnesota as part of an investigation into alleged conspiracy to impede federal immigration efforts. The subpoenas were served on the office of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, as well as the state's governor, Tim Walz, attorney general Keith Ellison, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, and St Paul's mayor Kaohly Her, all Democrats.
According to a copy of the subpoena obtained by the Guardian, the Justice Department is seeking guidance on immigration policies implemented in Minnesota since last year, as well as communication between state agencies regarding those policies. The agency also wants documents related to alleged "hindering, doxxing, identifying, or surveilling" immigration officers.
Critics say the investigation is a thinly veiled attempt to intimidate local leaders who have spoken out against the way federal immigration agents are being deployed in their communities. "When the federal government weaponizes its power to try to intimidate local leaders for doing their jobs, every American should be concerned," Mayor Frey stated. "We won't be afraid. We know the difference between right and wrong, and we'll continue doing our job: keeping our community safe and standing up for our values."
Legal experts have disputed the Justice Department's claims, saying that impeding federal agents requires physical force and speaking out against their methods is not a crime. "DOJ is out of control," former US Attorney Barbara McQuade said. "The crime of impeding federal agents requires physical force. Speaking out against the way ICE is being deployed is not a crime."
It remains to be seen how this investigation will unfold, but one thing is clear: the actions of local leaders are being closely watched by federal authorities, and the relationship between immigration enforcement and community safety is a contentious issue in the country.