Judge Dismisses Federal Subpoenas Against Minnesota Officials in Immigration Case
A federal judge quashed subpoenas issued by the US Department of Justice to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and other officials, ruling they were politically motivated and unlawful.
Chief US District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz on Monday ordered the quashing of subpoenas issued by the Department of Justice (DoJ) in January against top Minnesota officials, including Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. The subpoenas were part of a controversial immigration enforcement surge during the Trump administration, during which federal agents killed two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Judge Schiltz, appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, found that the subpoenas were intended to coerce state and local officials into assisting federal immigration enforcement and to punish them for not doing so. He stated that initiating an investigation to “harass political opponents” is a blatantly unlawful use of the grand jury process and violates the Tenth Amendment, which protects states’ rights.
“The evidence that the challenged subpoenas were issued for unlawful reasons is overwhelming,” Schiltz wrote, noting that the DoJ failed to identify a single plausible investigatory justification. The court concluded the “dominant purpose” was to coerce and retaliate against Minnesota officials for not cooperating with federal immigration law.
Walz called the ruling “a victory for the rule of law and our democracy,” emphasizing the need for an independent judiciary. Ellison, who has filed numerous lawsuits against the Trump administration, stated that the facts show Trump is weaponizing the criminal justice system. Frey expressed gratitude, saying no one should be targeted for questioning those in power.
The DoJ said it takes obstruction of federal law enforcement seriously and will continue to act within the law.
