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