On Monday, March 2, 2026, a Minnesota prosecutor announced an investigation into misconduct during an immigration enforcement crackdown that could lead to charges against federal officers, including Greg Bovino.
During a news conference, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said her office was reviewing 17 cases. One of those cases involved Bovino throwing a smoke canister at protesters on Jan. 21. Another case on Jan. 7 involved an arrest by federal immigration enforcement officers outside a high school and deploying chemical irritants while students and staff were in the area.
“Make no mistake, we are not afraid of the legal fight, and we are committed to doing this correctly. Operation Metro Surge causes immeasurable harm to our community,” Moriarty said.
DHS Immigration Enforcement Response
The Department of Homeland Security released a statement in response to the investigation, stating that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that states cannot prosecute federal officers.
“What these States are trying to do is unlawful, and they know it. Federal officials acting in the course of their duties are immune from liability under state law.”
The statement added that local officials should consider how their actions have endangered federal immigration enforcement agents.
The Trump administration defends federal officers; however, Moriarty has made it clear that her office is “collecting evidence about all sorts of possible crimes.”
Rachel Moran, a professor of criminal law and policing at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, asserts that prosecutors may be investigating assault or property damage, and lists cases where agents used chemical irritants and physical violence.
“These would be situations where the state has to determine: Is there evidence that agents acted unlawfully and outside the scope of their authorized duties? I think agents did illegal things here. I watched it.”
Moriarty’s investigation scope is Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis and many of its suburbs. Her office investigation also includes the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and she is “confident” they will pursue charges.
On Monday, she stated her office is prepared to sue the federal government in order to obtain the evidence she requested.
“The question is, should we charge in federal court? Do we expect the federal government to obstruct us? I would say they’re already doing that.”
Mark Osler, who served as director of the criminal division under Moriarty in 2023, says at the very least, the public can look forward to more clarity.
“One of the most important roles that prosecution has … is truth-telling, is to bring to the surface what actually happened at a given time. We’ll all know more than just what we saw in those initial videos by the time she’s done. I’m confident of that.”
Behavior Leading to Investigation
Moriarty’s office set up an online portal to upload photos, eyewitness accounts, and videos from Operation Metro Surge immigration enforcement efforts.
Bovino is well known for aggressive tactics in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Los Angeles, and Chicago. While in Chicago, federal agents frequently used chemical irritants to control crowds in residential neighborhoods. A judge ordered Bovino to wear a body camera and report to court daily about the immigration crackdown. The order was overturned before his first mandated appearance.
After two separate fatal shootings involving federal ICE agents in Minneapolis occurred in January, Bovino was removed from his leading role as part of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota.
Sources:
CNN: Minnesota county attorney investigating Gregory Bovino and other federal officials over immigration crackdown
Mother Jones: Gregory Bovino Is Now Under Criminal Investigation
AP News: Minnesota launches investigation that could bring charges against federal immigration officers
Featured Image Courtesy of relux.’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
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