Minnesota Governor Responds to Investigation Against Him

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stated that using the justice system as a "weapon against opponents" is "an authoritarian tactic," after the Department of Justice opened an investigation against him for opposing the deployment of immigration agents in the state.

"Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin [Democratic senator]. Last week it was Jerome Powell [Federal Reserve chair]. Before that, Mark Kelly [Democratic senator]. Using the judicial system as a weapon against opponents is an authoritarian tactic. The only person not being investigated for the Renee Good shooting [woman killed by ICE] is the federal agent who shot her," Walz wrote on his X account, commenting on a post reporting the case against him.

Sources familiar with the matter told CBS that, in addition to Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is also being investigated. Apparently, they will be charged with conspiracy to obstruct the work of federal immigration agents.

An official, whose name was not disclosed by the network, asserted that the case is based on the two Democratic politicians' statements regarding the thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents deployed in the state capital and its surroundings in recent weeks.

"This is not a threat. It is a promise."

Federal authorities ordered the deployment of around 3,000 immigration officials in Minneapolis following the outbreak of a fraud scandal. It was stated then that the goal was to detain individuals without legal authorization to remain in US territory and to investigate the embezzlement scheme.

The measure generated collective unease, but the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent served as a trigger for massive protests and clashes with immigration officers. Meanwhile, Walz and Frey have openly criticized the White House's punitive policies, warned of the consequences of clashes between two government entities, and urged citizens to protest peacefully.

Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche previewed what was to come for the Minnesota governor and the Minneapolis mayor: "Walz and Frey, I am focused on stopping your terrorism by any means necessary. This is not a threat. It is a promise," reads a message posted on his social media.

"Mayor Frey and Governor Walz need to control their city. They are fostering obstruction and aggression against our law enforcement, which is a federal crime, a felony," accused Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, for her part. According to her, the comments made by the two politicians compromised citizen trust in law enforcement and encouraged protesters.