US Justice Dept. Probes Minnesota Governor, Minneapolis Mayor Over Immigration Enforcement

• The US Justice Department is investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for allegedly obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
• The inquiry focuses on potential violations of a conspiracy statute, stemming from public statements made by the officials.
• Governor Walz criticized the probe, calling it a "dangerous, authoritarian tactic" and weaponization of the justice system.
• The investigation coincides with a large-scale immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and St. Paul, which has led to over 2,500 arrests.
• Tensions have risen due to the enforcement operation, with state officials urging peaceful protests and concerns raised about aggressive encounters with ICE agents.

Why It Matters: US Justice Department investigates Minnesota Governor and Minneapolis Mayor for allegedly impeding immigration enforcement.