A powerful coalition of Democratic federal and state politicians has forcefully condemned what they describe as the "intense trauma and terror" inflicted on communities in Minnesota by a surge in immigration enforcement operations ordered by the Trump administration.
Field Hearing Decries Federal Overreach
The gathering, staged as an "accountability" field hearing at the Minnesota state capitol in St Paul on Friday, was labelled "Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump's deadly assault on Minnesota". It brought together dozens of leaders, including Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Senator Tina Smith, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.
The hearing focused on the aggressive actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, which have escalated in the wake of protests following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer nine days prior. Good was shot as she attempted to drive away from agents who were ordering her out of her car; she was unarmed and was later labelled a "domestic terrorist" by the White House.
Lawmakers Warn of Military-Style Occupation
Elected officials painted a stark picture of life in the Twin Cities under the increased federal presence. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a frequent target of President Trump's attacks, detailed how dozens of U.S. citizens have been detained without subsequent charges and released hours later. "Abandoned cars with broken windows have become a normal sight of daily life," she stated.
Pramila Jayapal, who chaired the panel, quoted a local editorial suggesting Minnesota was "under siege." She warned, "Battalions of armed federal agents are moving through neighborhoods... It feels like a military occupation." St Paul Mayor Kaohly Her was equally blunt, declaring, "We are ground zero for Trump's war on America."
Calls for Investigation and Immediate Halt
The lawmakers issued direct warnings to the Trump administration. Congresswoman Betty McCollum addressed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem directly, stating, "You better be preserving your documents unaltered, because you are going to be held to testify and you will be subpoenaed" for a future investigation into the deadly use of force.
Scrutiny of ICE has intensified not only due to Good's death but also because the FBI has excluded state and local investigators from its inquiry into the shooting. Polling released by the ACLU shows 71% of voters support an independent investigation into the incident.
As sporadic clashes between protesters and federal officers continue, and with President Trump threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act, Democratic leaders are demanding an immediate cessation of the ICE surge. Jayapal concluded, "What is happening in Minnesota is a pattern that is dangerous to every single person in America."
