Kristi Noem, the head of the Department of Homeland Security, has backtracked on her denial that federal agents used pepper spray against protesters in Minneapolis, after being shown video evidence. Noem initially told CBS's Face the Nation that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents had not used chemical agents, but later conceded they had, blaming protesters for provoking the response.
The reversal comes after a federal judge ordered law enforcement to stop using pepper spray on peaceful protesters, ruling that agents had violated First Amendment rights. Noem had first rejected the judge's finding, but after viewing footage of chemical agents being deployed on four occasions, she said such measures were only used 'when there's violence happening'.
Tensions remain high in Minneapolis, where the Pentagon has ordered 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for possible deployment. Mayor Jacob Frey called this a 'ridiculous' overreaction to largely peaceful protests against ICE tactics. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice announced an investigation into protesters who disrupted church services at a St Paul church where a local ICE official is reportedly a pastor.
Protesters chanted 'ICE out' and 'justice for Renee Good', referring to a mother of three fatally shot by an ICE agent. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon condemned the disruption, calling it a 'desecration' of a house of worship. However, activist Nekima Levy Armstrong dismissed the investigation, arguing that concern should focus on 'atrocities' in the community.
Reports have also emerged that some protesters arrested during ICE operations were denied access to attorneys. An immigration lawyer said she was physically blocked from seeing clients for hours. A DHS spokesperson denied the claims, stating all detainees receive 'full due process'.
