Judge blocks DOJ subpoenas to Minnesota officials

A federal judge has thrown out a series of Justice Department subpoenas targeting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and other state and local officials, ruling they were an unlawful attempt to harass and coerce political opponents. The order, unsealed on Monday, June 22, 2026, marks a significant legal setback for the Trump administration’s efforts to compel cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota quashed six grand jury subpoenas served on January 20, 2026. The subpoenas targeted Governor Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, and officials in Ramsey and Hennepin counties. They sought a wide range of internal communications and documents related to immigration enforcement dating back to January 1, 2025.

In a 29-page ruling, Judge Schiltz, appointed by former President George W. Bush, found the Justice Department’s actions were retaliatory. He wrote that the “dominant purpose” of the subpoenas was to coerce Minnesota officials into assisting with federal immigration law and to harass them for failing to do so. The judge stated the...