Washington [US], January 17: Federal prosecutors are investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for allegedly impeding federal law enforcement operations in the state, Fox News reported Friday.
The two officials' rhetoric against the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was approaching a potential federal offense, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche was quoted as saying.
"When the governor or the mayor threaten our officers, when the mayor suggests that he's encouraging citizens to call 911 when they see ICE officers, that is very close to a federal crime," Blanche said.
The investigation came amid heightened tensions following a federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota. On Jan. 7, Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis, a major city in Minnesota.
Good's death sparked nationwide protests last weekend. Frey and Walz have since called on ICE to end its raids in Minneapolis and St. Paul, where about 2,500 people have been arrested as of Friday.
Source: Xinhua
