Magistrate understood that the federal administration “is not conducting a criminal investigation, but is using the grand jury process for other (illegal) purposes”
An attempt by the Trump administration to subpoena Tim Waltz, governor of Minnesota and former vice-presidential candidate alongside Kamala Harris, and other state officials in a case related to migration operations carried out earlier this year was blocked by a federal judge, reported the Associated Press.
Patrick Schiltz understood that the objective of the action was to retaliate against people who do not cooperate with the anti-immigration policy imposed by the Republicans. According to the judge, the Trump administration would like to use legal means to “coerce Minnesota authorities to collaborate with the federal government in enforcing civil immigration legislation and to harass and retaliate against them for not doing so.”
The subpoena is part of an investigation into Tim Waltz’s actions during the actions of the immigration police (called ICE) in the state. According to the federal government, the objective is to understand whether state authorities worked to obstruct or prevent the operation of federal agents.
At the beginning of the year, the Trump administration carried out a major operation to allegedly combat irregular immigration in Minnesota. ICE agents were deployed to the state, which triggered protests in the region’s main cities. During this period, federal agents killed Renee Gold and Alex Pretti, two American citizens who opposed their actions.
No relationship between the subpoena and criminal offenses
According to the decision cited by the Associated Press, Judge Patrick Schiltz understood that there were “extremely weak or non-existent” links between the information requested in the subpoena and possible criminal offenses. The request made by the government aims to obtain materials “that, in large part, if not in full, relate to conduct protected by the Constitution”.
The judge also guaranteed that the state may not use its resources to apply federal legislation on immigration. In this way, he understands, the Department of Justice “is not conducting a criminal investigation, but is using the grand jury process for other (illegal) purposes”.
Tim Waltz celebrated the court’s decision, ensuring that “the US Department of Justice is conducting criminal investigations against the president’s political opponents”. “This case was just one example of that, but we are witnessing the lawlessness of this administration every day – in Minnesota and across the country. We must all continue to fight for justice and uphold the rule of law,” the governor said.
