Federal judge throws out subpoenas targeting Minnesota officials

Department of Justice subpoenas targeting several Minnesota government officials have been thrown out by a federal judge. The subpoenas issued during the height of Operation Metro Surge, alleged Minnesota officials conspired against federal ICE agents in their efforts targeting immigrants in the state.

U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz ruled the DOJ subpoenas issued to Gov. Tim Walz, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty were “blatantly unlawful and unethical use of the grand-jury process.” The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners was also subpoenaed. 

The issuing of subpoenas was a punitive act according to Ellison, saying they came after his office filed a lawsuit challenging the actions of Operation Metro Surge. On Jan. 12 Ellison filed a lawsuit challenging Operation Metro Surge. The next day, President Trump promised “THE DAY OF RECKONING & RETRIBUTION IS COMING” for Minnesota on social media. Eight days later the DOJ issued its subpoenas.

“The facts are clear: the Trump administration is targeting me because I’m standing up for the people of Minnesota,” said Ellison. “In America, we settle our political differences at the ballot box, and it should disturb every American that Donald Trump is weaponizing the criminal justice system against people he disagrees with. No matter how much Donald Trump threatens, targets, and attacks me, I will never stop working to protect Minnesotans from Trump’s abuses of power.” 

The governor echoed Ellison’s sentiments. 

“Today’s ruling is a victory for the rule of law and our democracy. A federal district judge found that the U.S. Department of Justice’s investigation into me and other Minnesota elected officials was politically motivated, unconstitutional, and meritless,” wrote Walz in a statement. 

Frey said the ruling is a win for democracy. 

“Subpoenaing political opponents because they spoke on behalf of their constituents violates the core tenets of our democracy and human decency,” said Frey. 

The Hennepin County Attorney said the ruling saw the subpoenas for exactly what they were. 

“These subpoenas were a political attack when they were issued in January and a federal judge reached a similar conclusion when quashing them, handing the federal government another in a string of legal failures,” said Moriarty in a statement. 

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her felt similarly.

"I am grateful that the Federal District Court saw this subpoena for what it was: a politically motivated retaliation against our city for lawfully standing up to ICE and fighting for our residents,” said Her.

The DOJ has not publicly commented on the ruling. 

Editors note: This article was updated to include a statement by Mayor Her.