Legal fights intensify in Minnesota as Vance announces visit
- - Legal fights intensify in Minnesota as Vance announces visit
Christopher Cann, USA TODAY January 22, 2026 at 12:21 AM
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Legal fights intensify in Minnesota as Vance announces visit
Legal battles between Minnesota state and federal officials escalated as Vice President JD Vance plans a visit to Minneapolis and protests continued demonstrating against immigration enforcement operations in the state.
The Department of Justice on Jan. 20 delivered subpoenas to the offices of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, among other Democratic officials, related to allegations that they impeded the work of federal officers in the state. Walz and Frey called the move "a partisan distraction" and effort to "intimidate local leaders."
Meanwhile, a federal judge in Minnesota is weighing whether to halt immigration operations after the state, Minneapolis and St. Paul filed a lawsuit accusing the federal government of violating state rights. The same judge ordered agents not to use "chilling" tactics against peaceful protesters, including tear gas and arrests. The Department of Justice appealed that order.
1 / 10Federal agents continue surge of immigration enforcement in MinnesotaUS Customs and Border Protection agents arrest a man after not providing documents proving he's a citizen of the United States while patrolling a neighborhood during immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 11, 2026. A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on the streets of Minneapolis on Jan. 7, leading to huge protests and outrage from local leaders who rejected White House claims she was a domestic terrorist.
As investigations and lawsuits pile up, protests continue across Minnesota where some 3,000 federal agents are operating. Demonstrations have erupted since a U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good on Jan. 7.
Vance has defended the killing of Good, calling it "a tragedy of her own making" and alleging she was part of vast left-wing extremist network. On Jan. 22, Vance will hold a roundtable with community members and is expected to deliver remarks.
Statewide 'ICE out of Minneapolis' protest planned for Friday
Organizers in Minneapolis asked people to not go to work, skip school and refrain from buying anything as part of a protest against the ongoing immigration operations in the state.
"Faith leaders, business owners, workers, and concerned Minnesotans have called for a statewide day of public mourning and pause through 'No Work, No School and No Shopping' and a massive, peaceful march in downtown Minneapolis that afternoon," said a news release about the demonstration scheduled for Friday, Jan. 23.
In recent weeks, schools across the state have held walk-outs as protesters on the street have clashed with federal agents and recorded immigration enforcement operations.
Off-duty cops targeted by immigration agents in Minnesota: officials
Immigration agents have stopped off-duty officers in Minnesota "solely because of the color of their skin," a group of local police chiefs alleged on Jan. 21.
Brooklyn Park Police Department Chief Mark Bruley described an incident in which ICE agents blocked in an off-duty officer and demanded proof of citizenship. Bruley said agents knocked the officer's phone out of her hand when she tried to record the interaction and that the federal agents "had their guns drawn."
"I wish I could tell you this was an isolated incident," Bruley said, flanked by other heads of local law enforcement agencies. "If it is happening to our officers, it pains me to think of how many of our community members are falling victim to this every day. It has to stop."
In a statement to USA TODAY, the Department of Homeland Security said, "DHS is able to find no record of ICE or Border Patrol stopping and questioning a police officer. Without a name, we cannot verify these claims. We will continue to look into these claims."
More: ICE agents drew guns on off-duty officer in Minnesota, chief says
Feds investigate protest at St. Paul church
The Department of Justice opened a probe into a protest that interrupted a Sunday service at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
A group of protestors entered Cities Church on Jan. 18, alleging that Pastor David Easterwood serves as the ICE St. Paul Field Office acting director. Videos show dozens of protesters changing "Renee Good," and "don't shoot," as some verbally confronting churchgoers.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the DOJ is investigating the protest as a potential violation of the FACE Act, a federal law that prohibits the use of force, threats or physical obstruction to block people from reproductive health care or access to religious worship under the First Amendment's right of religious freedom.
St. Paul Police Department Public Information Officer Nikki Muehlhausen told USA TODAY the department is actively investigating the protest as disorderly conduct. In a statement, Walz's office said the governor "in no way supports interrupting a place of worship."
– Greta Cross
What do we know so far about DOJ subpoenas
The subpoenas delivered by the FBI on Jan. 20 seek records and testimony related to an investigation into Democratic officials accused of impeding federal law enforcement, officials said.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the subpoenas – sent to Walz, Frey and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison – will help build a case against the officials.
"When you have subpoenas out, it is not rocket science. Investigations are done by acquiring records, investigations are then furthered by putting witnesses in the grand jury and making a presentment for a case with our partners at the Department of Justice," Kash said in an interview on Fox News' "Hannity."
Those subpoenaed all criticized the investigation, calling it political theater. Ellison noted on X that the subpoenas came within days of him suing the Trump administration for the federal intervention in Minnesota.
"Trump is weaponizing the justice system against any leader who dares to stand up to him," Ellison said.
This story has been to add new information.
Christopher Cann is a national breaking news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact him via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Legal battles intensify in Minnesota as Vance announces visit
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