❓WHAT HAPPENED: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) is begging the public for money for a legal defense fund after he and other state officials were subpoenaed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly conspiring to impede law enforcement.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D), Attorney General Keith Ellison (D), St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her (D), and U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Subpoenas were issued recently in Minnesota following a viral fraud investigation.
💬KEY QUOTE: “If you’re with me, please rush a donation to our legal defense fund and help ensure we can keep fighting for accountability, transparency, and justice.” – Tim Walz
🎯IMPACT: The subpoenas have escalated tensions between federal authorities and Minnesota officials amidst ongoing investigations into fraud in the Somali community, and Democrat complicity in facilitating or turning a blind eye to it.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) is begging for money for a legal defense fund after being subpoenaed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of a federal investigation into alleged efforts to obstruct law enforcement. The subpoenas, reportedly served by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), also target Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D), Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D), and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her (D), and seek records of official communications.
In a message sent to supporters, Walz claimed the investigation was politically motivated and tied to recent unrest in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of anti-ICE activist Renee Good by a federal officer when she hit him with her car. “Tim Walz here. Last week, the federal government opened an investigation into me. This comes just weeks after a federal ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis, unleashing chaos across our city. Rather than taking accountability and working to turn down the temperature, Donald Trump and his administration are fanning the flames by targeting me for demanding transparency and answers.”
Walz went on to accuse the Trump administration of abusing federal power and urged the public to help finance his legal fight. “Weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents is a dangerous, authoritarian tactic – and I won’t let it slide. My job is to defend Minnesotans and the rule of law, and I’m sure as hell not backing down. But the road ahead is long, difficult, and expensive. If you’re with me, please rush a donation to our legal defense fund and help ensure we can keep fighting for accountability, transparency, and justice.”
Justice Department officials have suggested that comments and actions by Minnesota leaders may have crossed legal lines. U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said, “When the Governor or the Mayor threaten our officers, when the Mayor suggests that he’s encouraging citizens to call 911 when they see ICE officers, that is very close to a federal crime.”
The investigation also comes after testimony before Congress by independent journalist Nick Shirley, whose reporting on alleged Somali daycare fraud in Minnesota gained widespread attention.
The subpoena controversy adds to mounting scrutiny of Walz over a separate scandal involving alleged fraud in federal COVID-19 relief programs. Whistleblowers have claimed Walz’s administration was aware as early as 2019 of irregularities tied to nonprofits linked to Minnesota’s Somali community but failed to fully investigate and threatened retaliation against state employees who pressed the issue.
Earlier this month, Walz announced he would abandon his bid to seek reelection, a decision widely attributed to the ongoing fallout from the fraud allegations and growing political pressure.
Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.