Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey defended himself and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Sunday, insisting they’ve “achieved nothing incorrect” amid what sources say is a brand new federal investigation focusing 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. This can be a very severe matter, and this complete investigation would in the end be the product of one of the vital primary foundational tasks that I’ve as mayor, which is to talk on behalf of my constituents,” Frey advised “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl. “There are different nations the place you get put away for the issues that you just 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 isn’t that means.”
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 now have achieved nothing incorrect, so in fact we are going to comply in it, however on the similar time, we should be understanding how wild that is. We’re doing every thing doable proper now to maintain individuals protected in our metropolis. We have now spoken out to guarantee that our residents are protected and other people’s constitutional rights are upheld. Talking out in that means will not be illegality,” Frey mentioned.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey seems on ABC Information’ “This Week” on Jan. 18, 2026.
ABC Information
ABC Information reported Friday night time that the Justice Division was investigating whether or not Frey and Walz have been obstructing federal legislation enforcement actions within the state, in response to 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 Common Pam Bondi posted on X, “A reminder to all these in Minnesota: Nobody is above the legislation.”
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 the rest. 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 largely peaceable. The Trump administration has defended the officer, asserting he was performing in self protection as a result of it says the taking pictures sufferer was trying to run him over along with her automobile.
Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem mentioned there aren’t any plans to drag federal brokers from town.
Walz put the Minnesota Nationwide Guard on standby over the weekend in case protests acquired 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 guilty for the infected tensions on the bottom.
“The depth is attributable to the undesirable, uninvited individuals which are right here within the type of ICE,” Frey mentioned, including that there round about 5 occasions 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, if you’re trying to restore order and forestall chaos, there is a very simple antidote, and that’s for ICE to go away.”
Frey mentioned he would not remorse telling ICE to “get the f— out” of Minneapolis after the deadly taking pictures 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 individuals in our metropolis have been indignant. They have been upset.”
McCaul, the Texas Republican, known as on everyone to tone down the rhetoric and attempt to deescalate tensions.
“I feel we have to — on either side — begin calming down the rhetoric. I am glad the president didn’t invoke the Rebel Act. To throw our navy in the course of all of this simply kind of escalated the violence,” he mentioned.
The president has not dominated out invoking the 1807 legislation that might permit him to deploy the U.S. navy for home legislation enforcement. Nonetheless, he mentioned on Friday, “I do not suppose there’s any purpose 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 employees 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 drive, that’s one thing that may be prosecuted by — below federal legislation,” mentioned McCaul, who beforehand labored for the DOJ. “They do not have full immunity if, you realize, in the event that they violate using drive 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 obligatory because of the surge in undocumented immigrants who entered the nation below the Biden administration.
