Wednesday, March 4, 2026-The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office in Minnesota has launched a criminal investigation into top federal immigration officials, including Gregory Bovino, over their conduct during the recent immigration enforcement operation known as Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis and surrounding areas.
Prosecutors say they are examining at least 17 incidents reported by the public as potential unlawful behavior by federal agents during the crackdown, which sparked protests and criticism over the use of force. The investigation is part of a newly formed Transparency and Accountability Project aimed at gathering video, photos and eyewitness accounts from community members to assess whether any laws were broken by Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel.
Among the incidents under review is footage showing Bovino deploying chemical agents at a crowd near Mueller Park in January, along with multiple episodes involving the use of force during arrests and crowd control.
The county attorney, Mary Moriarty, has made clear that her office will pursue charges where appropriate and seek cooperation with local law enforcement, even while acknowledging the legal challenge of prosecuting federal officers. Pushback from the federal side has already begun, with the Department of Homeland Security arguing that state action is unlawful because federal officials are immune from state prosecution for actions taken in the line of duty.
The broader context of the inquiry includes two high-profile fatal shootings by federal agents in January — the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti — which intensified calls for accountability and transparency.
Moriarty’s office has indicated that it is prepared to litigate for access to evidence that federal authorities have not voluntarily provided, and legal experts suggest that state-level actions could proceed if prosecutors demonstrate that agents acted outside the scope of their official duties. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching implications for how federal immigration enforcement operations are scrutinized and held accountable by local jurisdictions.
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