Judge blocks Trump subpoenas targeting Minnesota Democrats

Minnesota's top federal judge on Monday quashed several Trump administration subpoenas for immigration-related records from Gov. Tim Walz (D) and a dozen other state and local officials.

Why it matters: The grand jury subpoenas — issued when Operation Metro Surge was at its height — were clearly meant to "coerce Minnesota officials into assisting the federal government with enforcing civil immigration laws," U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz concluded.

What they're saying: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey — one of the subpoena targets — praised the ruling in a statement, calling the attempted probe an "effort to weaponize [U.S. Department of Justice] power against elected leaders who disagree with the federal administration."

• "The U.S. Justice Department is pursuing criminal investigations into the President's political opponents," added Walz in an X post. "This case was just one example of that."
• Representatives for the Justice Department did not immediately respond to Axios' Monday afternoon request for comment.

The big picture: The Jan. 20 subpoenas also targeted Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarity.

• County commissioners in both Ramsey and Hennepin counties also challenged the subpoenas.

Catch up quick: Four days after the subpoenas arrived, then-AG Pam Bondi sent Walz a letter demanding Minnesota repeal its "sanctuary policies" and hand over voter registration, food stamps and Medicaid records.

• "You and your office must restore the rule of law," Bondi's letter read.

Between the lines: Grand juries have broad investigative powers, and it's "extremely rare" for judges to intervene, Ellison said.

• But Schiltz — a George W. Bush appointee — found "overwhelming" evidence the subpoenas were issued "in order to harass political opponents … a blatantly unlawful and unethical use of the grand jury process."

Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and may be updated.