Federal Court Cancels Department of Justice Requests for Minnesota Officials

聯邦法院撤銷司法部對明尼蘇達州官員的要求

Jun 22, 2026, 21:20
USPolitics

Introduction

A United States District Court has cancelled six grand jury subpoenas issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against several state and local officials in Minnesota.

美國一家地區法院撤銷了司法部 (DOJ) 向明尼蘇達州幾位州政府及地方官員發出的六份大陪審團傳票。

Main Body

The court case involves legal requests sent in January to Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Mayor Jacob Frey, Mayor Kaohly Her, and the boards of Hennepin and Ramsey counties. These requests were part of 'Operation Metro Surge,' a federal immigration enforcement program. The DOJ claimed that the investigation was necessary because officials might have blocked federal law. They specifically mentioned a Minneapolis city council rule, a statement about eviction pauses, and county guidelines regarding the sharing of information with ICE agents.

此法院案件涉及一月寄給州長 Tim Walz、總檢察長 Keith Ellison、市長 Jacob Frey、市長 Kaohly Her，以及 Hennepin 與 Ramsey 兩縣委員會的法律要求。這些要求是「大都會衝擊行動」(Operation Metro Surge) 聯邦移民執法計畫的一部分。司法部聲稱調查是必要的，因為官員可能阻撓了聯邦法律。他們特別提到明尼阿波利斯市議會的一項條例、一份關於暫停驅逐的聲明，以及縣政府關於與 ICE 探員分享資訊的指引。

Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz decided that the subpoenas did not have a valid legal reason and were instead used to pressure and punish political opponents. The court noted that the requests were sent shortly after Minnesota officials filed a lawsuit to stop Operation Metro Surge. Furthermore, the judge stated that the DOJ failed to provide evidence that any county employee actually blocked federal operations. Consequently, the ruling suggests that the federal government violated the 10th Amendment, which protects the independent powers of the states.

首席法官 Patrick J. Schiltz 決定，這些傳票沒有合法理由，而是被用來對政治對手施壓與懲罰。法院指出，這些要求是在明尼蘇達州官員就停止「大都會衝擊行動」而提起訴訟後不久便寄出。此外，法官表示司法部未能提供證據，證明有任何縣政府員工確實阻撓了聯邦行動。因此，裁決認為聯邦政府違反了保障州獨立權力的第 10 修正案。

At the same time, the DOJ has started criminal cases against about 55 Minnesota residents, including journalists and activists. These individuals are accused of conspiracy and breaking federal laws during protests against the immigration surge. This period of tension was further increased by the deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed by federal agents.

與此同時，司法部已對約 55 名明尼蘇達州居民啟動刑事案件，其中包括記者與活動人士。這些人被指控在反對移民衝擊的抗議活動期間，涉嫌共謀與違反聯邦法律。兩名美國公民 Renee Good 與 Alex Pretti 被聯邦探員殺害，令這段緊張時期進一步惡化。

Conclusion

The court concluded that the DOJ used the grand jury process illegally, and as a result, the subpoenas against the officials have been ended.

法院總結，司法部非法使用大陪審團程序，因此對官員發出的傳票已經終結。

Vocabulary Learning

🚀 The 'B2 Leap': Moving from Simple Facts to Logical Connection

At the A2 level, you describe things using simple sentences: "The judge decided. The DOJ was wrong."

To reach B2, you must stop listing facts and start connecting ideas using "Logical Connectors." This is the secret to sounding fluent and professional.

🧩 The Power-Connectors from the Text

Look at how the article connects complex legal ideas. These three words are your bridge to B2:

  1. Furthermore →\rightarrow Used to add a stronger, more important point.

    • A2 style: The judge said there was no evidence. He also said it was political.
    • B2 style: The judge stated there was no evidence; furthermore, he claimed the DOJ wanted to punish opponents.

  2. Consequently →\rightarrow Used to show a direct result (more formal than 'so').

    • A2 style: The DOJ broke the law, so the court stopped them.
    • B2 style: The federal government violated the 10th Amendment; consequently, the ruling ended the subpoenas.

  3. Instead →\rightarrow Used to replace one idea with a contrasting one.

    • A2 style: The reason was not legal. It was for pressure.
    • B2 style: The subpoenas did not have a legal reason and were instead used to pressure political opponents.

🛠️ Pro-Tip: The "Formal Swap"

B2 speakers avoid "baby words." Notice the shifts in this text:

  • Instead of saying "started", use "initiated" or "launched" (The DOJ started criminal cases →\rightarrow initiated cases).
  • Instead of "stopped", use "cancelled" or "terminated".
  • Instead of "about", use "approximately".

Your Goal: Next time you write a paragraph, find one "so" and change it to "consequently," and find one "also" and change it to "furthermore."

Vocabulary Learning

subpoena (n.)
A formal document ordered by a court that requires a person to attend a court hearing or provide documents.
Example:The witness received a subpoena to testify in the federal court case.
enforcement (n.)
The act of making sure that a law or rule is obeyed.
Example:The police are responsible for the enforcement of traffic laws.
guideline (n.)
A general rule or piece of advice that describes how something should be done.
Example:The company provided a clear guideline on how to handle customer complaints.
consequently (adv.)
As a result of something that has happened.
Example:The player was injured during the game; consequently, he missed the final match.
violate (v.)
To break a law, rule, or agreement.
Example:The company was fined for failing to violate environmental safety regulations.
conspiracy (n.)
A secret plan by a group of people to commit an illegal or harmful act.
Example:Several individuals were arrested for their involvement in a conspiracy to steal government secrets.
Practice B2 words in a crossword→