Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly, have formally been served subpoenas. The papers followed recent accusations by the Department of Justice of obstruction or impeding justice. While the investigation is currently ongoing, it’s a move that many are skeptical of.
According to officials Walz and Frey, the subpoenas serve one purpose: to create fear. Walz and several other Minnesota leaders issued statements following protests in Minneapolis and the surrounding areas, which were not received well by the president. In his statement, Walz called for an end to the immigration crackdowns, behind which President Trump has been a driving force. Walz also called on Minnesota residents to show patience and peace, but the subpoena was delivered despite his efforts.
U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez has also issued a protection order against federal agents for protestors. This prohibits federal agents from using force on peaceful protestors, a move that comes after the tragic death of Renee Good. As the state of Minnesota pushes to end immigration crackdowns, the government is pushing back with its own lawsuits.
When the news hit Reddit, many shared opinions on the government’s tactics. “It’s funny how ‘State Rights’ only seems to apply when you agree with Trump,” one user says. To this, another user replies, “That’s always been the case with republicans, ‘states rights’ have only ever been used as an excuse by the right to hurt people.”
Unusual Motives
Others question President Trump’s motive, citing hypocrisy in previous decisions. “Trump pardoned Blagojevich and Joe Arpaio. So he has no problem with pardoning Democrat governors or cops who break laws. So what’s the deal with Walz? (I ask rhetorically),” One Redditor writes.
Some even believe the subpoena itself is a stalemate. “It’s not going anywhere, it’s just wasting public money to hurt others and generate headlines for republicans who don’t understand how the law works,” one user says. “I doubt that Walz ever directed anyone not to comply with ICE. Him as a politician using his power as an elected official to make a political decision to not support the ICE occupation of the city is not obstruction. He was elected by his constituents to do this and protect them.”
