Federal judge rejects subpoenas of Walz, Ellison, Frey and others

Key Takeaways:

• A federal judge dismissed DOJ subpoenas addressing alleged obstruction of immigration enforcement
• Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Mayor Jacob Frey were among those subpoenaed
• The subpoenas stemmed from an inquiry into “Operation Metro Surge”
• The judge’s decision directly affects the DOJ’s current investigation strategy
• This development was reported by Winona Daily News on June 23, 2026

Subpoenas Canceled

A federal judge has canceled the U.S. Department of Justice subpoenas that aimed to gather testimonies from multiple Minnesota officials. The ruling effectively blocks the DOJ from compelling these officials to appear in court right now, marking a pivotal turn in the ongoing inquiry.

Officials Under Scrutiny

Among those targeted were Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. The subpoenas were part of a broader attempt to investigate the possibility of interference in federal immigration efforts. Other Minnesota elected officials also received subpoenas, though their names were not specified in the available details.

Operation Metro Surge

The DOJ’s investigation centers on “Operation Metro Surge,” an initiative intended to identify and address issues related to immigration enforcement. The canceled subpoenas indicate that, at least for now, the DOJ will not be questioning Minnesota’s top leaders under oath about their roles or decisions tied to this operation.

Legal Implications

By rejecting the subpoenas, the federal judge has paused the DOJ’s pursuit of further testimony. While the ruling does not entirely end the investigation, it does remove one key method the DOJ had planned to use in gathering information on whether obstruction occurred. The legal grounds for this decision remain undisclosed, with further details not available in the public report.

Response and Next Steps

At the time of publication, there are no public statements from Gov. Walz, Attorney General Ellison, or Mayor Frey regarding the cancellation of these subpoenas. Likewise, the DOJ has not provided any additional comments about its next steps in the immigration enforcement investigation. All eyes now remain on whether federal authorities will seek alternative ways to continue their inquiry or decide to move on without these testimonies.