Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey defended himself and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Sunday, insisting they’ve “carried out nothing improper” amid what sources say is a brand new federal investigation concentrating on the 2 Democratic officers.
“If the rumors are true, that is deeply regarding, as a result of that is far more vital than simply me. It is a very severe matter, and this entire investigation would in the end be the product of one of the vital primary foundational duties that I’ve as mayor, which is to talk on behalf of my constituents,” Frey informed “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl. “There are different nations the place you get put away for the issues that you simply say. There are different nations the place you get investigated for saying one thing that runs counter to what the federal authorities states. However on this nation, it is not that approach.”
Frey mentioned his workplace has not obtained a subpoena from the Division of Justice. He mentioned he intends to adjust to the investigation.
“Look, we’ve got carried out nothing improper, so in fact we’ll comply in it, however on the similar time, we have to be understanding how wild that is. We’re doing every little thing potential proper now to maintain folks secure in our metropolis. We’ve got spoken out to make it possible for our residents are protected and other people’s constitutional rights are upheld. Talking out in that approach will not be illegality,” Frey mentioned.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey seems on ABC Information’ “This Week” on Jan. 18, 2026.
ABC Information
ABC News reported Friday night time that the Justice Division was investigating whether or not Frey and Walz have been obstructing federal regulation enforcement actions within the state, based on a number of U.S. officers.
In response, Walz accused the administration of “weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents.”
With out instantly confirming the investigation, shortly after information broke Lawyer Normal Pam Bondi posted on X, “A reminder to all these in Minnesota: Nobody is above the regulation.”
In a separate interview on “This Week,” Rep. Michael McCaul — a Republican member and former chair of the Home Homeland Safety Committee — mentioned that investigating political leaders like that is “unusual.”
Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, seems on ABC Information’ “This Week” on Jan. 18, 2026.
ABC Information
“It is a federal offense to impede a federal investigation like we’re seeing within the streets proper now. I feel that may be very unusual to go after political figures like that. I feel it might be extra of a press release greater than anything. However you realize, we’ll see,” the Texas lawmaker mentioned.
Frey and Walz have clashed with the Trump administration in current weeks. As much as 3,000 federal brokers have been surged to Minnesota to conduct immigration enforcement operations and examine fraud allegations. These brokers have been met by protesters demanding they stop operations and depart the state.
On Jan. 7, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot Minneapolis resident Renee Good, a mom of three. The lethal altercation prompted outrage from residents, native officers and Democratic lawmakers, in addition to continued protests, which have been principally peaceable. The Trump administration has defended the officer, asserting he was performing in self protection as a result of it says the capturing sufferer was making an attempt to run him over along with her car.
Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem mentioned there aren’t any plans to drag federal brokers from the town.
Walz put the Minnesota Nationwide Guard on standby over the weekend in case protests obtained out of hand. Whereas there have been some clashes between protesters and counterprotesters, the Guard has not been deployed to the streets.
On “This Week,” Frey mentioned the federal brokers’ presence is responsible for the infected tensions on the bottom.
“The depth is brought on by the undesirable, uninvited folks which might be right here within the type of ICE,” Frey mentioned, including that there round about 5 instances as many federal brokers within the metropolis than there are metropolis law enforcement officials. “The calm exists the place you do not have ICE brokers. So, in case you are trying to restore order and stop chaos, there is a very easy antidote, and that’s for ICE to go away.”
A person is detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement brokers throughout an immigration raid in Minneapolis on Jan. 18, 2026. REUTERS/Leah Millis
Leah Millis/Reuters
Frey mentioned he would not remorse telling ICE to “get the f— out” of Minneapolis after the deadly capturing of Good.
“I do not remorse it in any respect,” Frey mentioned. “If I appeared like I used to be indignant and annoyed, I used to be. And a part of my accountability as mayor is to channel what in our metropolis are feeling. And the folks in our metropolis have been indignant. They have been upset.”
McCaul, the Texas Republican, referred to as on everyone to tone down the rhetoric and attempt to deescalate tensions.
“I feel we have to — on each side — begin calming down the rhetoric. I am glad the president didn’t invoke the Riot Act. To throw our navy in the midst of all of this simply form of escalated the violence,” he mentioned.
The president has not dominated out invoking the 1807 regulation that will enable him to deploy the U.S. navy for home regulation enforcement. Nonetheless, he mentioned on Friday, “I do not assume there’s any cause proper now to make use of it.”
Whereas the administration has defended federal brokers’ conduct, McCaul mentioned he thinks “perhaps some [officers] must go perhaps have some enhanced coaching.”
Requested about Vice President JD Vance and White Home deputy chief of workers Stephen Miller asserting ICE officers have “immunity” from federal prosecution, McCaul mentioned, “That is not correct.”
“I imply, if there’s an illegal use of pressure, that’s one thing that may be prosecuted by — underneath federal regulation,” mentioned McCaul, who beforehand labored for the DOJ. “They do not have full immunity if, you realize, in the event that they violate using pressure legal guidelines. However on the similar time, individuals who impede a federal investigation haven’t got immunity from that both.”
Nonetheless, McCaul agreed with the administration that immigration enforcement operations are mandatory because of the surge in undocumented immigrants who entered the nation underneath the Biden administration.
