A federal judge issued an order on Friday night against President Donald Trump’s administration regarding protesters in Minnesota.
Why It Matters
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This legal intervention follows the high-profile shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis by an immigration officer—deadly gunfire that has drawn national attention and fueled debate over immigration enforcement and the rights of protesters.
What To Know
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez, appointed by former President Joe Biden, granted a preliminary injunction that restricts federal immigration agents—specifically those participating in Operation Metro Surge—from taking retaliatory action against people “engaging in peaceful and unobstructive protest activity.”
The order specifically prohibits the use of pepper spray or other crowd-dispersal tools in response to peaceful protest and bars agents from stopping or detaining protesters in vehicles unless they are “forcibly obstructing or interfering with” officers.
In a statement to Newsweek on Friday night, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin reacted to the order, saying: “The First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly—not rioting. DHS is taking appropriate and constitutional measures to uphold the rule of law and protect our officers and the public from dangerous rioters. We remind the public that rioting is dangerous—obstructing law enforcement is a federal crime and assaulting law enforcement is a felony.
“Rioters and terrorists have assaulted law enforcement, launched fireworks at them, slashed the tires of their vehicles, and vandalized federal property. Others have chosen to ignore commands and have attempted to impede law enforcement operations and used their vehicles as weapons against our officers. Assaulting and obstructing law enforcement is a felony. Despite these grave threats and dangerous situations our law enforcement as [sic] followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to protect themselves, the public, and federal property.”
Menendez declined to rule on ICE operations in Minnesota earlier this week, saying she needed more evidence before rendering a decision.
The order on Friday comes the same day as reports of the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigating Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
The inquiry—focusing on alleged conspiracy to impede federal immigration agents—emerges amid the growing public outcry and protests over the federal immigration tactics employed by the Trump administration.
What People Are Saying
Scott Jennings, conservative pundit and former adviser to President George W. Bush, on X Friday: “You have the Governor of MN saying they’re at ‘war’ with the federal gov’t. The Minneapolis Mayor is telling police to ‘fight ICE on the street.’ You have ICE agents being assaulted for enforcing federal law. If this isn’t insurrection, then what is?!”
Walz, on X Thursday: “State investigators have been on the scene in North Minneapolis. I know you’re angry. I’m angry. What Donald Trump wants is violence in the streets. But Minnesota will remain an island of decency, of justice, of community, and of peace. Don’t give him what he wants.”
Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, on X Friday: “We must abolish Trump’s ICE. I will not support one more dollar for ICE as long as this agency—operating without oversight and accountability—continues to kill and injure our neighbors. We saw what they did to Renée Good. We saw how they acted in Chicago. [DHS] Secretary [Kristi] Noem must immediately testify before our Oversight Committee about ICE’s impunity and the dangerous policies that enabled these tragedies.”
What Happens Next
Menendez says the order will remain in place until Operation Metro Surge ends or “conditions change such that it is no longer necessary.” The federal judge notes that either party may also seek modification of the order by filing a new motion.
Update 1/16/26, 10:44 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
