Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the situation in Minneapolis as “impossible” amid ongoing clashes between local residents, federal immigration agents, and city authorities following violent incidents tied to a large federal enforcement operation.
Frey highlighted the pressure on local law enforcement, saying, “We’re in a position right now where residents are asking the very limited number of police officers we have to fight ICE agents on the street — to stand by their neighbors.” He argued that such a scenario was untenable for a municipal government.
Minneapolis has about 600 police officers, far fewer than the roughly 3,000 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and other federal officers operating in the area. “We cannot be in a place in America where two governmental entities are literally fighting one another,” Frey said, stressing that local officers are tasked with investigating crimes and responding to violent incidents such as homicides and carjackings. Meanwhile, federal agents have been conducting operations he described as chaotic.
Frey also urged residents to avoid escalating the situation, warning: “If it were your city, it would be unacceptable there too. And to anyone taking the bait tonight — stop. That is not helpful. Go home.”
Fatal Shooting and Ongoing Unrest
The remarks come amid heightened tensions following the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renée Nicole Good by an ICE agent during a federal immigration enforcement operation last week. The incident sparked widespread protests across the city and the U.S., as demonstrators called for accountability and the removal of federal agents.
Additional clashes, including another shooting incident involving federal agents, have further strained local resources and heightened public concern. Minnesota officials, including Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Frey, have criticized the federal operation as exacerbating tensions and undermining local public safety.
Trump’s Threat to Invoke the Insurrection Act
The situation in Minneapolis drew national attention after President Donald Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would allow the federal government to deploy active-duty military forces and federalize the National Guard to suppress domestic unrest. Trump framed the threat as a response to “professional agitators” and warned that federal action could be taken if local authorities could not protect federal agents.
While sharply criticizing federal immigration enforcement, Frey stressed the need for protests to remain peaceful and for residents to avoid confrontation. The city has also filed a lawsuit seeking to block elements of the federal operation, arguing that aggressive federal tactics have heightened unrest and undermined public safety.
