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Court finds the Justice Department used the grand jury process to "harass political opponents" of President Trump.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a press conference on February 3, 2026, in St. Paul.

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A federal judge on Monday blocked the Justice Department from forcing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and other local officials to turn over records as part of an investigation into Democratic resistance to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

In a 30-page ruling, District Judge Patrick Schiltz found that the subpoenas amounted to "an unconstitutional effort to coerce Minnesota officials into assisting the federal government with enforcing civil immigration laws and to harass and retaliate against them for failing to do so."

Schiltz, a George W. Bush appointee, didn't mince words:

"The Department is not conducting a criminal investigation, but is instead using the grand jury process for other (unlawful) purposes."

His ruling voids subpoenas 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.

Here's another interesting article

The $1,400 Steam Machine Is Here — And Valve Isn't Apologizing

An Investigation Into Resistance to Immigration Raids

The subpoenas sought records and information on whether Democratic officials had obstructed federal immigration enforcement through their public opposition to the administration's deployment of thousands of agents to detain undocumented migrants.

Over the winter, the Trump administration conducted a massive immigration operation in the Twin Cities area. The result: over 4,000 arrests, mass protests, and the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens.

Local officials had publicly decried the operation. Trump fired back, accusing them of fueling violence.

"Overwhelming" Evidence of Political Intimidation

Judge Schiltz said there is "overwhelming" evidence that the subpoenas had one purpose: to pressure Democratic officials.

He noted that the Justice Department has "struggled—without success—to identify a single plausible investigatory justification" for the demands. He also pointed to a fundamental constitutional principle: Minnesota has every right not to use its own resources to enforce federal immigration laws.

Reactions: "Politically Motivated and Meritless"

Tim Walz hailed the ruling in a statement on X:

"This investigation was politically motivated, unconstitutional and meritless. The U.S. Justice Department is pursuing criminal investigations into the President's political opponents. We are seeing daily reminders of this administration's lawlessness — in Minnesota and around the country."

Jacob Frey, the mayor of Minneapolis, added:

"Subpoenaing political opponents because they spoke on behalf of their constituents violates the core tenets of our democracy and human decency."

DOJ Isn't Backing Down

In a statement Monday, the Justice Department said it would continue to review what it calls "obstruction" of federal investigations, claiming it takes such matters "extremely seriously."

But this ruling adds to a growing list of judicial setbacks for the Trump administration, as courts continue to block its attempts to investigate or prosecute political adversaries.

A New Escalation in the Legal War

This case highlights a growing tension: the administration is using the machinery of federal justice to target states and officials who resist it. Judges, in turn, are reminding the executive branch of its limits.

Schiltz's decision sends a clear signal: the grand jury is not a political weapon. Not yet, anyway.

Valve's semi-PC console costs way more than a PS5. The company's explanation? They refuse to lose money on hardware.

The gaming industry has been waiting for Valve's fabled Steam Machine for a while now. The price is finally out.

And it stings.

The base model? $1,049.** The premium version with 2TB of storage and the Steam Controller? **$1,428.

For context: a PS5 runs you $600. An Xbox Series X is between $650 and $800. Even the PS5 Pro, positioned as a premium console, tops out at $900.

Performance-wise? Early tests suggest the Steam Machine is roughly on par with a 2020 PS5. No generational leap. Just a box that lets you play your Steam library in the living room.

So why the steep price?

"We Don't Sell at a Loss"

Valve's answer is brutally honest: they don't subsidize their hardware.

Where Sony and Microsoft can afford to take a hit on each console sold (making it back on games and subscriptions), Valve refuses to play that game.

"The price at which we sell our hardware is a direct result of the cost of these components."

Translation: the Steam Machine costs exactly what it costs to build. No more, no less.

But there's another factor, and it's more worrying: skyrocketing component prices.

Valve explains that over the past year and a half, RAM and storage costs have gone through the roof. "Rapid and significant" increases that made their original price target completely unviable.

Their initial pricing goal, set back in 2023 when development began? Impossible to hit today.

A Warning Sign for Next-Gen Consoles

This isn't an isolated case. Recently, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that certain component costs had doubled since last fall, and were 5 times higher than two years ago.

The takeaway is sobering: if the Steam Machine lands at over $1,000, the next generation of consoles (PS6, Xbox Helix) could easily follow the same trajectory.

Unless there's a major shift in the global economy or AI hardware demand, console gaming might soon become a four-figure luxury.

But Who Is This Even For?

That's the question everyone's asking:

PC gamers already have a rig. Why drop a grand on a box that underperforms their setup?
Console players are being asked to pay a premium for performance that matches a 2020 machine.

So why is Valve pushing forward?

Because they can. Because the hype around this machine is real. Because the Steam community is fiercely loyal. And because production quantities will likely be limited.

The Steam Machine is shaping up to be a niche product. Almost a collector's item. A "if you want to play your Steam games in the living room without the hassle, here's what it costs" kind of deal.

Launching June 29

Pre-orders will probably sell out, despite the price. Because it's Valve. Because it's Steam. And because, for a chunk of gamers, desire will outweigh reason.

Whether this pricing strategy holds up long-term remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Valve chose transparency over charm.

And honestly? That deserves some respect.