Newsletters
President Donald Trump escalated his confrontation with Minnesota's Democratic leadership Saturday, accusing the state's governor and Minneapolis mayor of "inciting insurrection" following the fatal shooting of a civilian by federal immigration agents in the city.
The shooting marked the second time in less than three weeks that federal officers conducting immigration enforcement operations have killed a civilian in Minneapolis, intensifying clashes between Trump's administration and state officials over the president's deportation campaign.
Federal agents shot and killed a man during what the Department of Homeland Security described as a targeted operation to apprehend an undocumented immigrant wanted for violent assault. The agency said its officers acted in self-defense after the individual approached them with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and violently resisted attempts to disarm him.
However, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said authorities believed the victim was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. Minnesota law allows open carry of firearms with a permit.
Governor Tim Walz condemned the incident as horrific and called for state authorities to lead the investigation rather than federal agencies. He demanded Trump immediately end the federal operation and withdraw thousands of immigration officers from Minnesota.
"Minnesota has had it. This is sickening," Walz wrote on social media after discussing the shooting with the White House. "The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now."
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey directly appealed to Trump to halt the immigration enforcement sweeps that have drawn thousands of ICE agents to the Democratic-led city.
"This is a moment to act like a leader," Frey said. "Put Minneapolis, put America first in this moment — let's achieve peace. Let's end this operation."
Trump responded by accusing both officials of dangerous rhetoric and threatening consequences. He wrote on social media that the mayor and governor were inciting insurrection with their "pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric." The president has previously threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would authorize him to deploy military troops for domestic law enforcement purposes.
A video circulating on social media and later confirmed by authorities shows several agents, including at least one wearing a vest marked "POLICE," surrounding a person on the ground and striking him multiple times before gunshots are heard.
The Department of Homeland Security maintained its officers feared for their lives when they fired what it called defensive shots. The agency said medics on scene immediately provided medical aid, but the individual was pronounced dead at the scene.
The shooting triggered what O'Hara described as an incredibly volatile scene in a busy south Minneapolis neighborhood known for its restaurants. Officers declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and deployed tear gas as crowds grew and protesters used dumpsters to create road blockades.
The incident occurred against a backdrop of escalating unrest in Minneapolis following the January 7 shooting death of Renee Good, a US citizen killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer during immigration sweeps. An autopsy ruled Good's death a homicide, a medical classification that does not automatically indicate criminal conduct. The officer who shot Good, Jonathan Ross, has not been suspended or charged.
Public anger reignited earlier this week when federal agents detained a five-year-old boy while attempting to arrest his father.
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar called on Trump and his administration to watch the video of Saturday's killing, saying the world was watching their actions.
The Insurrection Act, dating to 1807, grants the president authority to deploy military forces domestically to suppress civil disorder or insurrection. Its invocation remains rare and controversial, most recently used during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
