TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A federal judge in Minnesota has struck down multiple Department of Justice (DOJ) grand jury subpoenas targeting Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and other state and local officials in a case linked to federal immigration enforcement operations under the Trump administration.
US District Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz ruled that the subpoenas were issued not for legitimate investigative purposes but to pressure and “harass” political opponents, describing them as part of a broader campaign against officials who resisted federal immigration enforcement efforts.
The decision also nullified subpoenas issued to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, and county officials in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, which sought records related to state and local cooperation with federal immigration authorities dating back to early 2025.
According to ABC News, Schiltz found the government’s justification for the subpoenas “extraordinarily broad” and lacking a clear connection to any suspected criminal wrongdoing, noting that the requested materials largely related to constitutionally protected conduct.
The subpoenas were issued amid heightened federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol operations expanded across the state, triggering political tensions and public protests. The situation escalated further following the deaths of two individuals during federal enforcement actions in Minneapolis earlier in the year.
Judge Schiltz wrote that there was “overwhelming evidence” the subpoenas were not issued to investigate crimes but to “coerce, retaliate, and harass,” adding that the DOJ failed to identify any plausible investigative basis for the sweeping requests.
He also argued that the Constitution prohibits the federal government from compelling states or local governments to enforce federal law, criticizing what he described as an improper use of the grand jury process.
As reported by The Hill, Schiltz said the subpoenas reflected a “blatantly unlawful and unethical” use of federal investigative powers, pointing to a broader pattern of political targeting in enforcement actions against state officials.
The ruling also referenced statements from President Donald Trump and surrounding political context, including heightened rhetoric and federal enforcement surges in Minnesota, which the judge said reinforced concerns that the subpoenas were politically motivated.
Following the decision, Governor Tim Walz called the ruling “a victory for the law and our democracy,” accusing the Justice Department of targeting political opponents and stating that the Constitution protects the right of states to disagree with federal policy.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also welcomed the ruling, saying the subpoenas violated democratic principles and warning against the use of law enforcement tools to silence dissent. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison similarly said the investigation had “come up empty.”
A Justice Department spokesperson did not confirm whether the agency would appeal the ruling but said it remains committed to investigating alleged interference with federal law enforcement operations in compliance with the law.
The case adds to a series of court rulings that have challenged the scope of federal subpoenas in politically sensitive investigations, underscoring ongoing tensions between state officials and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement policies.
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