Minneapolis protests: Fresh videos spark ICE brutality allegations; US Homeland Security defends actions

“It was not ‘domestic terrorism’. It was state-sanctioned violence. A family will forever live with the pain caused by the administration’s reckless and deadly actions,” Democratic U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American who represents Minneapolis and is a frequent target of Trump’s political attacks, said on X.

Local authorities have urged residents to film and document all ICE-related activity in their neighbourhoods. In recent days, several incidents have come to light alleging violence by ICE agents against civilians.

Trump administration stands firm

The Trump administration, however, has refused to back down. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the actions of ICE officers, claiming they were responding to a distress call from fellow agents who were under attack by agitators.

According to DHS, one officer, fearing for his life, fired his weapon defensively.

Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor, said in an interview with Fox News that ICE officers have federal immunity while carrying out their duties. “You have immunity to perform your duties, and no one—no city official, no state official, no illegal alien, no leftist agitator or domestic insurrectionist—can prevent you from fulfilling your legal obligations and duties,” Miller said.

REMINDER. “To all ICE officers: You have federal immunity in the conduct of your duties. Anybody who lays a hand on you or tries to stop you or tries to obstruct you is committing a felony. You have immunity to perform your duties, and no one—no city official, no state official,… pic.twitter.com/xoWDjOctLe

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 13, 2026

“The Department of Justice has made clear that if officials cross that line into obstruction, into criminal conspiracy against the United States or against ICE officers, then they will face justice.”

DHS responds to viral videos

Addressing another incident, DHS said in a post on X that officers responding to assist fellow law enforcement were surrounded by hundreds of violent rioters.

“On their way to relieve their fellow law enforcement, HUNDREDS of violent rioters swarmed their vehicle, blocked their path, and assaulted them,” the department said on X.

“These officers gave MULTIPLE lawful commands to the violent agitator in this video, but he chose to repeatedly refuse these commands.”

On January 7, 2026, ICE officers responded to a distress call from fellow officers who were under attack by agitators. One of these endangered officers, in fear of losing his life, defensively fired his weapon.

On their way to relieve their fellow law enforcement, HUNDREDS of… https://t.co/tbeWMeLyCw

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 13, 2026

The department also alleged that the viral video was edited to exaggerate the duration of the officer’s actions. “We stand by our officers who followed their training to the letter,” it said.

In another post, DHS said: “On January 12, about 45 violent rioters in Minneapolis threatened and assaulted DHS law enforcement outside the Federal Whipple Building. Rioters launched fireworks and threw bottles, ice chunks, and other objects at law enforcement. Eight rioters were arrested.”

On January 12, about 45 violent rioters in Minneapolis threatened and assaulted DHS law enforcement outside the Federal Whipple building. Rioters assaulted law enforcement by launching fireworks and threw bottles, ice chunks, and other objects at them.

8 rioters were arrested.… pic.twitter.com/m63fQohCds

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 13, 2026

ICE also defended its operations, saying: “Your whistles won’t stop or hinder ICE from arresting criminal illegal alien sex abusers, murderers, gang members, and more off of Minnesota’s streets.”

Your whistles won’t stop or hinder ICE from arresting criminal illegal alien sex abusers, murderers, gang members, and more off of Minnesota’s streets.

— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) January 13, 2026

Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, said DHS law enforcement is operating in Minneapolis and other cities because “sanctuary politicians refuse to hand over the criminal illegal aliens in their custody.”

DHS law enforcement is in Minneapolis and cities nationwide because sanctuary politicians REFUSE to hand over the criminal illegal aliens in their custody.

As a result, DHS officers are forced to locate released criminal illegal aliens on the streets without the support of local… pic.twitter.com/ftA4NAXeD4

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 13, 2026

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Nationwide Protests

The statements came as tens of thousands of people marched through Minneapolis on January 10 to protest the fatal shooting of Good. More than 1,000 rallies were planned nationwide over the weekend against the federal government’s deportation drive.

Despite whipping cold winds, the massive turnout in Minneapolis underscored how the killing of 37-year-old Good has struck a chord across the country. Minnesota’s Democratic leadership and the Trump administration have offered sharply different versions of what happened.

Who was Renee Nicole Good?

Renee Nicole Good, 37, who was killed by a federal agent, was remembered as a compassionate and giving person.

State Representative Leigh Finke of St. Paul, Minnesota, paid tribute to Good, calling her “a loved and celebrated community member, who has now been stripped away from her family.”

Good lived in Minneapolis with her partner, and the couple had a six-year-old child.

What the video showed

A video of the incident shows masked officers approaching Good’s car, which was stopped at an unusual angle on a Minneapolis street. The car then reverses and pulls away, briefly moving in the direction of the officer who opened fire at close range.