A federal judge in Minnesota has issued a preliminary injunction restricting tactics used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents against protesters in Minneapolis. The order from Judge Katherine Menendez prohibits officers from retaliating against peaceful protests, arresting or detaining peaceful demonstrators, using pepper spray or other non-lethal munitions on crowds, and stopping drivers without good cause.
The injunction comes after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE officer last week. New incident reports from Minneapolis police and fire departments, along with 911 call transcripts, have been released providing further details of the incident.
Judge Menendez found that federal agents' actions, including drawing and pointing weapons, using pepper spray, threatening arrests, and other intimidation tactics, had a chilling effect on protesters' First Amendment rights. The order will remain in effect while litigation continues.
Separately, the US Justice Department is investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over whether public statements could be considered criminal interference with federal operations.
President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minneapolis if needed, and has also threatened tariffs on countries opposing his attempts to acquire Greenland. A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has held talks with Danish and Greenlandic officials over the issue.
