Minnesota officials ask protesters to stay peaceful ahead of weekend demonstrations in the state

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey are under federal investigation over an alleged conspiracy to impede federal immigration agents, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.

One of the sources, a U.S. official, said the investigation stems from statements that Walz and Frey have made about the thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Border Patrol agents deployed to the Minneapolis region in recent weeks.  

Subpoenas are likely to be issued in the probe, sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.  

Professor David Schultz, a First Amendment law expert with Hamline University and University of St. Thomas School of Law, said he doesn’t expect the investigation to hold much water. 

Schultz explained that public comments from both Walz and Frey fall under protected speech, noting that the bar would be incredibly high if the federal government is attempting to argue that either of them have verbally encouraged a “real overt act of obstruction.” 

“There’s no case on record, let us say in the modern history of the First Amendment, that has taken mere criticism to be equivalent to obstruction of justice,” Schultz said, adding that it’s no surprise to him that President Trump is using the DOJ to further complicate life for Walz and other Minnesota officials.   

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Families impacted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests are worried about the safety and well-being of those left behind. 

Scarlett, A 2-year-old girl, is living in a haven in Minnesota thanks to a Delegation of Parental Authority form.

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Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobsen says his agency and other state officials are aware and prepared for the planned protests this weekend. 

“We want to be there to be helpful. We want to be there to keep the peace and, again, let’s be Minnesotans. Let’s be those who want to do this the right way, to demonstrate, to share your opinions, to share your values, to share your thoughts, but to do it in a way that doesn’t incite violence, that doesn’t bring anymore harm,” Jacobsen said in a news conference on Friday afternoon. 

That includes one that could come through downtown Minneapolis, as well as a counter protest planned in the same area.