Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of releasing 490 violent criminals—including murderers, rapists, and drug traffickers—back onto city streets rather than cooperating with federal immigration authorities, sparking a Department of Justice investigation that could result in criminal charges against the Democratic leaders.
Story Highlights
- Secretary Noem alleges 490 dangerous criminals released due to sanctuary policies blocking ICE cooperation
- DOJ investigating Gov. Walz and Mayor Frey under federal conspiracy statute for allegedly impeding immigration enforcement
- Nearly 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents deployed to Minneapolis in largest DHS operation on record
- Federal officials possess video evidence of inflammatory rhetoric comparing ICE agents to Gestapo
- Tensions escalated after ICE officer killed Minnesota resident, triggering protests and street clashes
Federal Investigation Targets Democratic Leaders
The Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey under 18 U.S.C. § 372, a federal statute targeting conspiracy to impede federal officers through force or intimidation. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche personally visited Minneapolis to advance the probe, with sources confirming subpoenas are imminent. The investigation focuses on whether the officials’ public statements crossed from protected political speech into criminal incitement that endangered federal agents conducting immigration enforcement operations.
Sanctuary Policies Under Fire
Secretary Noem’s accusation centers on Minnesota’s sanctuary jurisdiction policies, which limit local law enforcement cooperation with ICE detainer requests. The figure of 490 violent criminals represents individuals whom federal authorities say should have been transferred to ICE custody but were instead released back into Minneapolis communities. This practice reflects the longstanding tension between Democratic sanctuary cities prioritizing immigrant protection and federal authorities seeking to enforce immigration law. Ex-DHS senior adviser Chuck Marino explained that while he disagrees with sanctuary policies, Walz and Frey’s inflammatory rhetoric uniquely crosses acceptable boundaries by potentially inciting violence against agents.
Largest DHS Operation Sparks Local Resistance
The Trump administration deployed nearly 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents to Minneapolis in what DHS describes as its largest single operation, targeting undocumented individuals and conducting fraud investigations. The massive federal presence triggered intense backlash from local leaders, with Mayor Frey calling the deployment unsustainable and accusing agents of creating chaos that forces Minneapolis police into street conflicts. Governor Walz compared the DOJ investigation to authoritarian tactics, while Deputy AG Blanche posted on social media vowing to stop what he termed the officials’ “terrorism” against federal law enforcement.
Secretary Noem: Gov. Walz and Mayor Frey Have Released 490 Murderers, Rapists, and Drug Traffickers onto their Streets Rather than Turn Them Over to ICE (VIDEO) https://t.co/LQalRSYPAA #gatewaypundit via @gatewaypundit
— David R Fletcher (@FletchTex48) January 21, 2026
Deadly Shooting Intensifies Conflict
The killing of Minnesota resident Renee Good by an ICE officer last week inflamed tensions, sparking protests where demonstrators clashed with federal agents while local police struggled to maintain order. Governor Walz referenced the shooting when defending his criticism of federal operations, arguing the deployment undermines public safety rather than enhancing it. Former DHS adviser Marino, however, warned that Walz’s rhetoric—including comparisons of ICE to Nazi Gestapo—crosses a dangerous line that puts agents’ lives at risk. Marino noted the DOJ possesses video evidence demonstrating how the officials’ statements could meet the legal threshold for criminal conspiracy.
Constitutional Concerns and National Precedent
This confrontation represents a critical test of federal authority versus local resistance, with potential ramifications for sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide. The Trump administration’s willingness to criminally investigate state and local leaders marks an escalation that could deter similar obstruction elsewhere if prosecutions succeed. For Americans frustrated by illegal immigration and sanctuary policies that shield criminal aliens, Secretary Noem’s allegations validate concerns that Democratic leaders prioritize political ideology over community safety. The investigation also raises questions about where protected political speech ends and criminal incitement begins, a distinction that could define future federal-local immigration enforcement battles.
As the DOJ investigation advances, Minneapolis remains a flashpoint in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategy. The outcome will determine whether federal authorities can hold local officials criminally accountable for policies and rhetoric that allegedly endanger agents and enable violent criminals to remain in communities. With AG Bondi declaring “no one is above the law,” the administration signals its determination to dismantle sanctuary obstruction through aggressive legal action backed by unprecedented operational deployments.
Sources:
CBS News: Justice Department investigating Tim Walz, Jacob Frey in Minnesota
