Minnesota Dems who received DOJ subpoenas say justice system is being weaponized

Minnesota Democrats who were subpoenaed by a grand jury as part of a federal investigation into an alleged plot to impede or impede federal law enforcement during ongoing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations are now speaking out, saying the justice system is being used as a weapon against them.

The criticism comes after the Justice Department and the FBI served subpoenas Tuesday on six offices, including the governor’s office, the attorney general’s office and the Minneapolis mayor’s office.

“Less than two weeks ago, federal agents shot and killed a Minnesotan in broad daylight. Now, instead of seriously investigating Renee Good’s murder, Trump is weaponizing the justice system against any leader who dares to stand up to him,” Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said. said in a statement, adding that his office received a subpoena for “records and documents related to the work of my office regarding the enforcement of federal immigration law.”

FBI DIRECTOR PATEL WARNS ELECTED OFFICIALS ‘NO ONE’ IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL REVIEW AMID MINNESOTA INVESTIGATION

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, left, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, center, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, right, all denounce the subpoenas they received this week. (Monica Morgan/Getty Images; Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images; Jerry Holt/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images)

“Let’s be clear about why this is happening: Donald Trump is going after Minnesotans, and I’m standing in his way,” Ellison added. “I will not be intimidated and I will not stop working to protect Minnesotans from Trump’s campaign of retaliation and vengeance.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said in his own voice statement that “the state of Minnesota will not allow itself to be drawn into political theater.”

“This Department of Justice investigation, sparked by calls for accountability in the face of violence, chaos and the murder of Renee Good, does not seek justice. It is a partisan diversion. Minnesotans are more concerned about safety and peace than baseless legal tactics aimed at intimidating public officials alongside their community,” Walz said.

“My goal has always been to protect the people of this state, not to protect myself. Families are afraid. Children are afraid to go to school. Small businesses are suffering. A mother is dead and those responsible have yet to be held accountable. That’s where the federal government’s energy should be directed: toward restoring trust, accountability and true law and order, not political retaliation,” Walz added. “Minnesota will not be intimidated and I won’t either.”

WHITE HOUSE SLAMS WALZ, MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS AFTER GOVERNOR’S DIRECT CALL TO TRUMP

Federal agents fire pepper balls at protesters outside an ICE facility during a protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 11, 2026. (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“When the federal government uses its power to intimidate local leaders for doing their jobs, all Americans should be concerned,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. wrote on X. “We should not live in a country where federal law enforcement is used to play politics or suppress local voices they disagree with.”

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Fox News: “It is laughable that Tim Walz – who has called heroic ICE officers the ‘Gestapo’ and said Minnesota is at ‘war on the federal government’ – is complaining about division when he is the one perpetrating it.”

Law enforcement personnel work at the scene following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, 37, by an ICE agent during federal operations on January 7, 2026 in Minneapolis. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

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“Tim Walz should stop defending criminal illegal aliens and work with the Trump administration to remove these sick people from American communities,” she said.

Fox News’ David Spunt, Patrick Ward and Alexis McAdams contributed to this report.