Democratic leaders in Minnesota have issued a furious demand for federal immigration agents to leave the state, following the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis.
Leaders Condemn Shooting and Reject Official Account
The incident occurred on Wednesday during what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described as a targeted enforcement operation. The DHS claimed that "rioters" blocked ICE officers and that one "violent rioter weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers," prompting an agent to fire "defensive shots."
This version of events was vehemently rejected by local officials who have seen video evidence. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, stated bluntly at a news conference: "Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly, that is bullshit." He accused an agent of "recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying, getting killed."
Minnesota's Democratic Governor, Tim Walz, also challenged the DHS narrative. "I've seen the video," Walz said. "Don't believe this propaganda machine. The state will ensure there is a full, fair, and expeditious investigation to ensure accountability and justice."
A Volatile Situation and Calls for Immediate Withdrawal
The shooting has intensified existing tensions linked to a recent surge of ICE agents sent to Minnesota by the Trump administration, partly connected to fraud allegations involving Somali residents. Democratic Senator Tina Smith described the situation in Minneapolis as "volatile" and said, "ICE should leave now for everyone's safety."
The calls for ICE's departure were echoed by numerous state representatives. Representative Kelly Morrison said on X that "ICE needs to leave our state immediately to deescalate this situation and prevent further chaos and harm." Representative Betty McCollum demanded DHS Secretary Kristi Noem "immediately cease and desist the ICE operation."
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a Democrat, blamed the Trump administration's decision to send thousands of armed agents for "causing serious harm and spreading terror." He pledged to ensure anyone who broke the law would be held accountable.
Political Divide: Defence and Condemnation
The response split sharply along partisan lines. While Democrats uniformly condemned the shooting and the ICE presence, Minnesota Republicans defended the federal officers. Representative Michelle Fischbach stated the assault on agents was "the direct result of the dangerous rhetoric from sanctuary policies," and she stood with the officer who "acted in self-defense."
Congressman Tom Emmer praised "our brave ICE agents" and shamed officials for "spewing lies and hateful rhetoric."
The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota joined the call for an immediate investigation and for ICE to leave, stating the agency is "endangering our communities." The Democratic Party's official X account accused the Trump administration of lying about the shooting, which political commentator Keith Olbermann labelled as "murder."
The fallout from Wednesday's shooting leaves Minneapolis in a state of high alert, with local leaders urging residents to remain calm while demanding the removal of the federal agents they blame for the violence.
