Far-Right Activist Jake Lang Charged with Felony Damage to Property at Minnesota State Capitol
A man known as Edward Jacob Lang, also called Jake Lang online, has been charged with felony damage to property by the Ramsey County Attorney's office. Lang, a former Jan. 6 rioter and far-right Internet personality, was caught on camera knocking over an ice sculpture with the words "Prosecute ICE" at the Minnesota State Capitol. The sculpture, commissioned by the Common Defense Organization for $6,250, was intended to be donated to a local business after the permit expired. Lang altered the display to read "Pro ICE" before driving off in a Dodge RAM truck. He was later stopped by the Minnesota State Patrol and taken into custody.
Lang claimed he was exercising his First Amendment right to artistic expression and had posted the incident on social media. He requested protective custody status, which was granted by the Ramsey County Sheriff's office. Lang, who holds a Florida license, is in the Twin Cities for a planned rally outside the State Capitol and is scheduled to appear in Ramsey County District Court on Friday.
After spending four years in jail following the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol, Lang was pardoned and released by President Donald Trump. He recently attempted to hold a demonstration outside Minneapolis City Hall but was forced away by protesters and fled in a car driven by a Black trans woman who had no connection to him or the protest.