Minneapolis Protests Escalate Following Federal Officer Shootings: Calls for ICE Withdrawal and Federal Investigation
Protests erupted in Minneapolis following a second shooting involving a federal officer. The Department of Homeland Security reported that an officer shot a person who had fled a traffic stop and attacked the officer with two others. This incident followed the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a mother, by an ICE officer, which is under dispute by local officials. A federal investigation is underway to determine if Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz obstructed federal law enforcement activities in the state.
House Democrats and Minnesota's senators criticized the Trump administration's deployment of ICE in the state during a shadow hearing and news conference in Minneapolis. They called for ICE to leave the streets, citing confusion, chaos, and fear caused by their presence. Mayor Frey testified that the administration's actions are creating chaos in Minnesota and that peace and order will be restored once federal agents depart.
President Trump stated that he currently does not see the need to use the Insurrection Act in Minnesota despite previous threats against protestors rallying against ICE. He emphasized the Act's power but indicated that he does not require it at the moment. Trump continued to criticize Minnesota's Democratic leaders, accusing them of losing control over the situation and being rendered useless in addressing the unrest.
Trump's social media post blamed "Troublemakers, Agitators, and Insurrectionists" for the unrest in Minnesota and accused the Governor and Mayor of being ineffective. He pledged to act quickly and effectively if forced to intervene. Governor Walz and Mayor Frey, who have urged Trump to tone down his rhetoric in the past, did not immediately respond to the post.