Immigration: US Attorney General Pam Bondi Announces Subpoenas, Arrests in Minnesota

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has intensified the Trump administration’s confrontation with Minnesota officials, declaring that the “full weight of federal law enforcement” is engaged in the state. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bondi detailed ongoing actions, including federal grand jury subpoenas served to Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, alongside recent arrests tied to anti-immigration protests and violence against federal agents.

Subpoenas and Arrests Announced

Bondi confirmed that Walz, Ellison, and Frey have acknowledged receipt of federal grand jury subpoenas from the Department of Justice. The subpoenas, served around January 20, seek records related to cooperation—or lack thereof—with immigration authorities since early 2025. The probe reportedly targets potential obstruction under rarely used statutes with Civil War-era roots.

The Attorney General also highlighted arrests linked to the “Cities Church attack” in St. Paul, where protesters disrupted a service led by a pastor affiliated with ICE. Federal agents arrested individuals including Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly earlier this week, charging some under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act for interfering with worship. Bondi vowed continued protection for religious organizations.

Additionally, Bondi reported today’s arrest of a suspect accused of assaulting a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent by biting off a finger during an incident in Minneapolis. She directed federal prosecutors to file charges for what she called a “heinous assault.”

Operation Metro Surge and Rising Tensions

These developments stem from Operation Metro Surge, launched by the Department of Homeland Security in December 2025, deploying thousands of federal agents to the Twin Cities to target undocumented immigrants, including those linked to violent crimes and gangs. The operation has sparked protests, clashes, and fatalities, including the recent fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti by a federal agent and an earlier incident involving Renee Good.

Minnesota officials, including Walz and Frey, have condemned the operations as reckless and politically motivated, with Frey publicly telling ICE to “get the f— out” of Minneapolis. In a letter to Walz following the Pretti shooting, Bondi blamed Minnesota’s sanctuary-style policies for creating dangerous conditions and demanded:

• Repeal of sanctuary policies
• Full cooperation from state corrections facilities, including honoring ICE detainers
• Sharing Medicaid, food assistance, and other records to investigate fraud
• Access to state voter rolls by the DOJ Civil Rights Division to verify compliance with federal election laws

Bondi framed compliance as a path to “restore the rule of law” and potentially reduce federal presence.

Political Fallout and Public Reaction

Minnesota officials have called the investigation irregular and politically driven, with Ellison labeling it a “bullying tactic” after his office sued to halt ICE operations. Public reaction on X has been polarized: supporters praised Bondi’s stance, while critics accused the DOJ of overreach and warned that voter roll demands threaten state sovereignty and election integrity. Some conservative voices expressed frustration over perceived leniency, noting that certain church protest arrestees were released without charges.

As of today January 25, no major resolutions have emerged from the subpoenas or Bondi’s letter. The Attorney General concluded her post: “More arrests are coming… Accountability is coming.”