Federal Judge Blocks Trump Admin Subpoenas of Minnesota Officials as Unconstitutional Retaliation

Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz blocked Trump administration grand jury subpoenas targeting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and other Democratic officials. The judge ruled the subpoenas were unconstitutional attempts to 'harass and retaliate' against officials who criticized the administration's immigration crackdown and refused to assist with Operation Metro Surge. Judge Schiltz wrote that initiating a criminal investigation to 'harass political opponents or coerce them into official action' is a 'blatantly unlawful and unethical use of the grand-jury process.' The ruling found the Justice Department weaponized the subpoena power to force Minnesota to capitulate to White House demands and remove sanctuary policies.

"Initiating a criminal investigation to harass political opponents or coerce them into official action is a blatantly unlawful and unethical use of the grand-jury process." — Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz's written ruling blocking the Trump administration's grand jury subpoenas of Minnesota Democratic officials