Federal Judge Quashes DOJ Subpoenas to Minnesota Officials Over Immigration Probe

A federal judge has quashed six grand jury subpoenas the Justice Department issued in January targeting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and other state and local officials. The subpoenas sought records on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement under Operation Metro Surge.

The court ruled the dominant purpose was to coerce Minnesota officials into assisting federal civil immigration enforcement and to harass and retaliate against them for not doing so.

District Court for Minnesota unsealed the 29-page order on Monday. The judge found the Justice Department failed to identify any plausible investigatory justification for the subpoenas. The ruling stated the subpoenas were part of an unconstitutional effort to pressure state and local governments over immigration sanctuary policies.

Walz said the Justice Department is pursuing criminal investigations into the President's political opponents. A Department of Justice spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.