Another legal expert weighs in on DOJ investigation into Walz, Frey, calls it a “stretch”
Legal expert Joe Tamburino joined WCCO on Saturday morning and weighed in on the federal investigation into Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
He called the Department of Justice’s investigation a “stretch,” called for calm and talked next steps.
Law expert weighs in on federal investigation into Walz, Frey
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey are under federal investigation over an alleged conspiracy to impede federal immigration agents, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.
One of the sources, a U.S. official, said the investigation stems from statements that Walz and Frey have made about the thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Border Patrol agents deployed to the Minneapolis region in recent weeks.
Subpoenas are likely to be issued in the probe, sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.
Professor David Schultz, a First Amendment law expert with Hamline University and University of St. Thomas School of Law, said he doesn’t expect the investigation to hold much water.
Schultz explained that public comments from both Walz and Frey fall under protected speech, noting that the bar would be incredibly high if the federal government is attempting to argue that either of them have verbally encouraged a “real overt act of obstruction.”
“There’s no case on record, let us say in the modern history of the First Amendment, that has taken mere criticism to be equivalent to obstruction of justice,” Schultz said, adding that it’s no surprise to him that President Trump is using the DOJ to further complicate life for Walz and other Minnesota officials.
Minnesota safety commissioner on weekend protests: “We want to be there to be helpful”
Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobsen says his agency and other state officials are aware and prepared for the planned protests this weekend.
“We want to be there to be helpful. We want to be there to keep the peace and, again, let’s be Minnesotans. Let’s be those who want to do this the right way, to demonstrate, to share your opinions, to share your values, to share your thoughts, but to do it in a way that doesn’t incite violence, that doesn’t bring anymore harm,” Jacobsen said in a news conference on Friday afternoon.
That includes one that could come through downtown Minneapolis, as well as a counter protest planned in the same area.
Law expert weighs in on federal investigation into Walz, Frey
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey are under federal investigation over an alleged conspiracy to impede federal immigration agents, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.
One of the sources, a U.S. official, said the investigation stems from statements that Walz and Frey have made about the thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Border Patrol agents deployed to the Minneapolis region in recent weeks.
Subpoenas are likely to be issued in the probe, sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.
Professor David Schultz, a First Amendment law expert with Hamline University and University of St. Thomas School of Law, said he doesn’t expect the investigation to hold much water.
Schultz explained that public comments from both Walz and Frey fall under protected speech, noting that the bar would be incredibly high if the federal government is attempting to argue that either of them have verbally encouraged a “real overt act of obstruction.”
“There’s no case on record, let us say in the modern history of the First Amendment, that has taken mere criticism to be equivalent to obstruction of justice,” Schultz said, adding that it’s no surprise to him that President Trump is using the DOJ to further complicate life for Walz and other Minnesota officials.
Minnesota safety commissioner on weekend protests: “We want to be there to be helpful”
Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobsen says his agency and other state officials are aware and prepared for the planned protests this weekend.
“We want to be there to be helpful. We want to be there to keep the peace and, again, let’s be Minnesotans. Let’s be those who want to do this the right way, to demonstrate, to share your opinions, to share your values, to share your thoughts, but to do it in a way that doesn’t incite violence, that doesn’t bring anymore harm,” Jacobsen said in a news conference on Friday afternoon.
That includes one that could come through downtown Minneapolis, as well as a counter protest planned in the same area.
For a local public servant, Saturday was one for the books. Saint Paul Police Sergeant Jessica Stiffarm was promoted to Sergeant Major in the National Guard.
“To be honest, it’s kind of a surreal moment” said Minnesota National Guard Sergeant Major Stiffarm. “I never imagined that one I’d have 22 years of service in the Minnesota National Guard or be a police officer of 13 years either. But I can’t imagine doing anything different.”
Last year, WCCO reported on Stiffarm’s promotion to Sergeant within Saint Paul Police Department, being the second indigenous female sergeant in the department’s history.
“For me, what drives me is people. Service to people,” said Stiffarm. “At 17 I knew I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself.”
Being a trailblazer isn’t easy, but she didn’t let that stop her.
“I guess what I’d tell my 17 year-old self ‘whatever you want to do is possible through hard work and dedication,’” she added.
Her new title is a reflection of that dedication. Stiffarm was awarded the role in the building she was first deployed out of when she was 20 years-old.
“Literally until today, that’s the last time I was in this building for some type of ceremony for myself or promotion, so it’s pretty cool,” said Stiffarm.
Stiffarm urges the next generation to find a mentor and grab onto everything they teach.
Frankie McLister, originally from Middletown, Maryland, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Members of the Minnesota National Guard will be heading to North Carolina to provide emergency aid in disaster areas following Hurricane Helene.
On Wednesday, Gov. Tim Walz signed an emergency executive order authorizing the deployment.
“Those recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene are not alone,” Walz said. “Minnesota will be there to support the region however we can. As communities rebuild, I am grateful for the dedication of Minnesota’s first responders in answering the call to travel east to help impacted areas.”
According to the Minnesota National Guard, its St. Cloud-based Company — 2-211 General Support Aviation Battalion — is sending two CH-47 “Chinook” cargo helicopters, which will “transport commodities and personnel throughout disaster areas.”
Eleven soldiers are being activated to support the mission.
“The Minnesota National Guard is ready to assist the state of North Carolina and help support people and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene,” Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Minnesota National Guard adjutant general, said. “We take pride in being able to answer the call when another state requests support.”
The soldiers are expected to arrive Friday and will provide support for at least a week, depending on the need.
In addition to the Minnesota National Guard, the St. Louis County mobile command post is heading to North Carolina to help with relief efforts, according to the governor’s office. The Minnesota State Patrol and Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office both have coordinated teams ready to help with law enforcement support and are awaiting assignment through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal is also working with local fire departments in sending crews and equipment to disaster areas as needed.
The executive order went into effect Wednesday and will remain in effect until Nov. 1 or until National Guard services are no longer needed.
A person inspects the Biltmore Village with bicycle in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida’s Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph.
Getty Images
The hurricane made landfall in Florida last Thursday and devastated areas across nearly 400 miles of the southeastern United States, particularly in North Carolina.
President Biden traveled to the Carolinas on Wednesday for an aerial tour of the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Helene, as well as a briefing on the ground on recovery efforts. Vice President Kamala Harris is in Georgia receiving updates on the emergency response to the storm’s devastation there.
Mr. Biden said that he approved a request from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper for the federal government to cover “100 percent” of all debris removal and emergency protective measure costs for six months.
Cole Premo is digital manager for CBS Minnesota. For more than a decade, he’s been covering breaking news and weather, daily topics, stories from the Native community and more in Minnesota.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz‘s military record has come under renewed scrutiny following Vice President Kamala Harris’ announcement of Walz as her running mate on the Democratic ticket.
On Wednesday, former President Donald Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, who is an Iraq War veteran, seized the opportunity to target his opponent’s military record, resurfacing claims about his deployments and his retirement from the guard.
Walz served honorably in both the Nebraska and Minnesota Army National Guards, earning medals and deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. But his final days of service have been called into question, centering on his rank and if he retired to avoid a 2005 deployment to Iraq.
A CBS News review of Walz’s military record and statements from the Minnesota Army National Guard show Walz achieved the rank of command sergeant major but was reduced in rank to master sergeant after retirement since he had not completed coursework for the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.
On Iraq, records show Walz had retired before his battalion was mobilized and deployed to Iraq. A 2005 statement from his website indicates Walz was initially prepared to deploy to Iraq amid his bid for Congress. CBS News has asked Walz for comment on when he decided to retire.
A snapshot of Walz in the military
Walz retired from the Minnesota Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery in 2005 after more than 24 years in service, the Minnesota Army National Guard told CBS News.
Walz first enlisted in the Nebraska Army National Guard in April 1981, serving as an infantry senior sergeant and administrative specialist. In 1996, Walz transferred to the Minnesota Army National Guard, where he first worked as a cannon crewmember and field artillery senior sergeant.
An undated photo of Tim Walz in uniform, released by the Harris-Walz campaign.
Minnesota National Guard spokesperson Lt. Col. Kristen Augé told CBS News that Walz “held multiple positions within field artillery such as firing battery chief, operations sergeant, first sergeant, and culminated his career serving as the command sergeant major for the battalion.”
Walz earned several Army commendation and achievement medals during his more than 24 years of service.
Walz deployed in August 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Minnesota National Guard told CBS News the battalion supported security missions at various locations in Europe and Turkey. Walz was stationed at Vicenza, Italy, at the time and returned to Minnesota in April 2004.
Controversy over a 2005 Iraq deployment
On Wednesday, Vance resurfaced claims that Walz retired from the National Guard to avoid deploying to Iraq.
“When the United States Marine Corps, when the United States of America, asked me to go to Iraq to serve my country I did it. I did what they asked me to do, and I did it honorably and I’m very proud of that service,” said Vance.
He added: “When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him — a fact that he’s been criticized for aggressively by a lot of the people he served with.”
The claims first gained prominence when Walz ran for governor of Minnesota in 2018. At the time, retired Army veterans Thomas Behrends and Paul Herr, who both served as command sergeant majors, posted on Facebook a lengthy letter accusing Walz of “embellishing” his military career and abandoning his Army National Guard battalion ahead of a 2005 deployment to Iraq.
In the letter, Behrends and Herr write that in early 2005, Walz’s unit — 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery — was slated to deploy to Iraq. At the time, Walz was serving as the unit’s command sergeant major.
Behrends and Herr claimed that from the time the unit was told to prepare for an Iraq deployment and when Walz retired, he told other Army leaders he would be going to Iraq but later resigned his position before the deployment to avoid going to a combat zone.
Walz has said he left the guard to run for Congress, according to the Star Tribune. In 2006, Walz won his election to Congress against a six-term Republican incumbent.
Records show Walz officially filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Feb. 10, 2005.
In March 2005, the National Guard announced a possible partial mobilization of roughly 2,000 troops from the Minnesota National Guard, according to an archived press release from Tim Walz for U.S. Congress.
“I do not yet know if my artillery unit will be part of this mobilization and I am unable to comment further on the specifics of the deployment,” said Walz in the March 2005 statement.
The statement continued: “As Command Sergeant Major I have a responsibility not only to ready my battalion for Iraq, but also to serve if called on. I am dedicated to serving my country to the best of my ability, whether that is in Washington DC or Iraq,” said Walz, who indicated at the time he had no plans to drop out of the race. “I am fortunate to have a strong group of enthusiastic support and a very dedicated and intelligent wife. Both will be a major part of my campaign, whether I am in Minnesota or Iraq.”
The Minnesota Army National Guard told CBS News that Walz retired on May 16, 2005. CBS News has asked Walz to clarify when he submitted his retirement papers.
The Minnesota National Guard told CBS News that Walz’s unit — 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery — received an alert order for mobilization to Iraq on July 14, 2005 – two months after Walz retired, according to Lt. Col. Ryan Rossman, who serves as the Minnesota National Guard’s director of operations. The official mobilization order was received on August 14 of the same year, and the unit mobilized in October.
CBS News reviewed the deployment history for the Minnesota Army National Guard which shows that in the fall of 2005, 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery was mobilized in preparation for a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The battalion trained at Camp Shelby in Mississippi and deployed to Iraq as a motorized security task force.
In 2018, Tom Hagen, a military reservist who served in Iraq, wrote a letter to The Winona Daily News claiming Walz was not being candid about his service record and wanted people to know that the future Minnesota governor did not serve in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Walz responded in the same newspaper and criticized Hagan as dishonoring a fellow veteran, according to MPR News. Walz wrote: “There’s a code of honor among those who’ve served, and normally this type of partisan political attack only comes from one who’s never worn a uniform.”
Joseph Eustice, a 32-year veteran of the guard who also led Walz’s battalion, told the Star Tribune in Oct. 2022 that the governor fulfilled his duty.
“He was a great soldier. When he chose to leave, he had every right to leave,” said Eustice.
Walz’s rank as a command sergeant major
Official biographies on the Minnesota government website and Vice President Kamala Harris’ website describe Walz as a “retired Command Sergeant Major.” However, documents reviewed by CBS News show this is not accurate; while Walz served at one point as a command sergeant major, he retired at a lower rank.
Army veteran Anthony Anderson, who routinely obtains military records from the Defense Department using the Freedom of Information Act and has worked with CBS News on similar stories, provided Walz’s records for review. CBS News has also requested the documents from the National Guard.
One of the documents shows Walz reverted back to master sergeant from command sergeant major when he retired from the Minnesota National Guard in May 2005.
Army soldiers promoted to the rank of sergeant major or command sergeant major are required to attend the Sergeants Major Course, or what was formerly known as the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.
Lt. Col. Augé, the Minnesota National Guard spokesperson, told CBS News that Walz retired as a master sergeant in 2005 for “benefit purposes” because he did not complete additional coursework at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.
While Walz can say he served as a command sergeant major in the Minnesota Army National Guard, his official biographies are incorrect in referring to him as a “retired Command Sergeant Major.”
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — Minnesota’s National Guard is capitalizing on one of its longest-standing partnerships in an entirely new way this weekend.
As the guard goes through bi-annual cyber defense training, it’s welcoming in members of the Norwegian Armed Forces – expanding on a relationship that’s lasted for more than a half-century.
“These exercises are incredibly important for us to keep our skills technically sharp, but the other part is being the first time the Norwegians have come to train with us, is the communication and the intractability,” said Lt. Kai Pederson of the Minnesota National Guard. “If we’re going to respond to something with our allies, especially our NATO allies, we need to know how each other operate.”
WCCO
The weekend’s training focused on analyzing and solving a hypothetical scenario stemming from a cyber attack.
“We’re playing the role of a team that has been called in to help defend a network that’s under attack,” said Major Peter Kapelanski of the Minnesota National Guard. “It’s been very interesting working with the Norwegians. Some of the things we do are very similar.”
“We’re really eager to learn the Americans,” said Markus Holmby of Norway. “(To see) how they work and what they can do.”
Holmby says his group, three in total, plans to try a jucy lucy during their first ever trip to Minnesota. He says the also paid a visit to the Mall of America.
“We came here and everyone was like, ‘You’re a big deal,’ and we were like, ‘Oh wow,;” he said.
In 2023, Minnesota’s National Guard signed a state partnership agreement with Norway, paying the path to expand military relationships with the NATO partner.
