Minneapolis mayor calls DOJ probe into him 'deeply concerning' as feds investigate over ICE obstruction

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey responded to a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into him and other Minnesota officials, calling the probe “deeply concerning.”

Frey made the comments Sunday during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press with Kristen Welker, where he said he has not received a subpoena related to the investigation. His remarks came despite previous reporting Friday that the DOJ had issued subpoenas to both Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

“We haven't received anything, a subpoena or otherwise. And obviously it would be deeply concerning if the federal government is targeting someone for a product that is quite literally my job. It is my responsibility to speak on behalf of Minneapolis residents,” Frey said. “It's my responsibility to do everything possible to keep our city safe. And so while I haven't received a subpoena or anything else at this point, this should be deeply concerning, not just for Minneapolis but for anybody out there.”

The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into Frey and Walz over an alleged conspiracy to obstruct and impede federal authorities carrying out immigration enforcement. Frey has refused to cooperate with federal efforts to enforce immigration law and has not taken steps to lower tensions surrounding protests that have turned violent in the state. Over the past week, he has made public remarks criticizing federal law enforcement officers, encouraged Minnesotans to protest against them, and demanded that the officers “get the f*ck out of Minneapolis.”

Welker asked Frey about comments by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who said the violence in Minnesota is a “direct result” of Walz and Frey “encouraging violence against law enforcement.”

“Yeah, never once have we pressed for violence against any law enforcement officer,” Frey claimed. “If the goal is safety, if the goal is maintaining the peace, I'll tell you, there's a very good antidote to some of the danger we've been seeing, and it's just to have ICE leave.”

Frey went on to praise residents who have participated in protests against ICE agents, calling them “inspiring.”

Frey was also asked about the possibility that the Trump administration could invoke the Insurrection Act or deploy National Guard troops to Minneapolis. He said such a move would be “shocking” and insisted that crime in the city is “dramatically down.”

“We are safe. Violent crime is down. Shootings are down. Carjackings are down in virtually every category, in virtually every neighborhood in the city,” Frey said. “You know what's causing more chaos? Having these thousands of ICE agents and Border Control and apparently military, even, potentially on our streets. But again, the purpose here is to intimidate. In Minneapolis we're not going to be intimidated. We're not backing down. We're going to grin down this bear and do so again with peace.”