Trump SUBPOENAS Top MN Dems – Mob Incitement Probe

A subpoena document with a blue pen resting on it

Democratic leaders in Minnesota now face federal grand jury subpoenas for allegedly inciting mobs against ICE agents—what happens when sanctuary politics collides with federal law?

Story Snapshot

DOJ under Trump served subpoenas on January 20, 2026, to Governor Tim Walz, Mayor Jacob Frey, and three other top Democrats over ICE obstruction claims.
Probe ties to “Operation Metro Surge,” aggressive deportations targeting immigration fraud in Minnesota.
Incidents include anti-ICE protesters storming a St. Paul church and rhetoric urging 911 calls on federal agents.
Conservatives see accountability for violence; Democrats call it political retaliation amid a controversial agent-involved killing.

Operation Metro Surge Launches in Minnesota

The Trump administration initiated Operation Metro Surge in late 2025 and early 2026. Federal officials targeted Minnesota due to high immigration fraud rates. DHS Secretary and Trump aides cited data from the 2020 Minnesota Department of Education flagging irregularities. ICE agents conducted door-to-door enforcement. Local Democratic leaders resisted, labeling operations chaotic. Tensions built over months as protests disrupted federal work. This set the stage for federal intervention.

Key Incidents Ignite Federal Probe

On January 15, 2026, ICE officers faced agitators outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis. Protesters rallied at Minneapolis City Hall two days later. Around January 18, an anti-ICE mob stormed Cities Church in St. Paul. They disrupted services, mistaking the pastor for an ICE official. Mayor Frey encouraged residents to call 911 on suspicious federal agents. Governor Walz criticized ICE for violence, referencing the killing of Renee Good by a federal agent. These events prompted prosecutors to investigate obstruction.

DOJ Serves Grand Jury Subpoenas

FBI agents delivered subpoenas on January 20, 2026, to five offices: Walz’s governor’s office, Frey’s mayor’s office, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her’s office, Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office, and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty’s office. Documents demand records and communications related to ICE interactions. Deputy AG Todd Blanche warned that local rhetoric teetered on federal crimes. Assistant AG Harmeet Dhillon vowed to probe the church disruption as a civil rights violation. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson accused Walz and Frey of inciting chaos.

Stakeholders Clash Over Motivations

Walz dismissed the probe as a partisan distraction from the Renee Good incident. Frey vowed his city would not be intimidated. Ellison and Her face scrutiny for local resistance policies. Moriarty’s office stands accused in the conspiracy. Trump DOJ officials prioritize immigration enforcement supremacy. Democrats protect residents in their sanctuary-like stronghold. Facts support federal authority in immigration; common sense aligns with prosecuting incitement over deflection. Power dynamics pit national law against state autonomy.

Impacts Ripple Through Communities

Immigrant families report fear, with children skipping school. Small businesses suffer from boycotts and protests. Christian worshipers endured service disruptions at Cities Church. A planned “Day of Truth and Freedom” blackout threatens further economic hits. Politically, the clash polarizes Minnesota midterms and fuels national deportation debates. Long-term, successful prosecutions could chill sanctuary resistance nationwide. Federal-state strains intensify in blue states.

Expert Views and Ongoing Probe

Former ICE Acting Director Jonathan Fahey described subpoenas as a serious response to Democratic obstruction. Conservative sources highlight evidence of incitement and violence. Progressive outlets stress political retaliation and ICE errors, as Trump himself admitted raids may involve mistakes. No arrests occurred as of January 23, 2026. The grand jury reviews documents amid partisan spins. Facts favor accountability for obstructing federal law enforcement.