DOJ subpoenas Walz, Ellison, Frey, Her and Moriarty in Metro Surge probe
The Department of Justice delivered federal grand‑jury subpoenas on or about Jan. 20, 2026 to the offices of Gov. Tim Walz, AG Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty as part of a probe into alleged efforts to coerce or obstruct federal law enforcement during DHS’s Operation Metro Surge. Walz’s office confirmed receipt of a subpoena while Ellison’s office declined to confirm, and the use of grand‑jury subpoenas indicates a criminal investigative posture.
📌 Key Facts
- The U.S. Department of Justice served federal grand jury subpoenas on five Minnesota government offices: Gov. Tim Walz’s office, Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s office, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty.
- The subpoenas are part of a DOJ criminal investigation into an alleged conspiracy to coerce or obstruct federal law enforcement linked to the Department of Homeland Security’s Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota.
- The subpoenas were delivered on or about January 20, 2026, tightening the timeline of the DOJ’s escalation against Minnesota officials over Operation Metro Surge and related matters.
- Walz’s office confirmed to FOX 9 that it received a subpoena; Ellison’s office declined to confirm receipt.
- Because the demands were issued through a federal grand jury, reporting indicates the matter is being pursued with a criminal investigative posture rather than as a civil dispute.
- Local outlets FOX 9 Minneapolis–St. Paul and Minnesotareformer reported and corroborated the subpoenas and the timeline of their delivery.
📊 Relevant Data
Operation Metro Surge, launched by DHS and ICE in December 2025 in Minnesota, has resulted in more than 400 arrests of illegal aliens, including individuals with criminal backgrounds such as pedophiles, rapists, and violent offenders.
ICE Arrests the Worst of the Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Including ... — DHS.gov
Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang, has members arrested in Minnesota as part of federal operations, with 27 suspected members detained nationally in November 2025 for crimes including human trafficking and sexual assault.
Homeland Security Task Force Operation Results in the Arrest of ... — DHS.gov
Minneapolis's sanctuary policies restrict local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE, which federal officials argue undermines immigration enforcement and public safety by limiting detainer compliance.
JD Vance, ICE flip script on sanctuary city leaders as ... — Fox News
Six federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned in January 2026 due to DOJ pressure to manipulate the investigation into the ICE shooting of Renee Good, including directives not to pursue certain aspects of the case.
Several federal prosecutors in Minnesota resign over ICE shooting ... — NPR
Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7, 2026, in Minneapolis during a brief encounter, with emergency logs indicating the incident lasted milliseconds.
Reports, videos show how ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot ... — CNN
Venezuelan migration to the U.S., including Minnesota, is driven by economic collapse, political instability, repression, and lack of basic services in Venezuela, leading to over 7.7 million departures since 2015.
Venezuelan Immigrants in the United States — Migration Policy Institute
Minnesota's foreign-born population grew from 428,000 in 2014 to 524,000 in 2024, representing about 9% of the state's population, with significant contributions from African and Asian immigrants.
How many immigrants are in Minnesota? — USAFacts
Somali immigrants in Minnesota have higher per capita rates for welfare fraud convictions compared to natives, with about 39% of working-age Somalis lacking a high school education, contributing to economic vulnerabilities.
Somali Immigrants in Minnesota — Center for Immigration Studies
Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S. show varied crime involvement, with gang members like Tren de Aragua overrepresented in certain crimes, though overall immigrant crime rates are lower than natives nationally.
No, You're Not Imagining a Migrant Crime Spree — City Journal
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms that, in addition to Walz, Ellison and Frey, DOJ subpoenas were also delivered to St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty.
- Reiterates that the subpoenas are issued through a federal grand jury, indicating a criminal investigative posture rather than a civil spat.
- Places delivery of the subpoenas on or about January 20, 2026, tightening the timeline of DOJ’s escalation against Minnesota officials over Operation Metro Surge and related matters.
- FOX News reporting, echoed by FOX 9, that five Minnesota government offices — including Gov. Walz’s office, AG Ellison’s office, and Minneapolis Mayor Frey’s office — have been served federal grand jury subpoenas.
- Walz’s office has confirmed to FOX 9 that a subpoena was delivered; Ellison’s office declines to confirm.
- Subpoenas are described as part of a DOJ investigation into alleged conspiracy to coerce or obstruct federal law enforcement during DHS’s Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota.