Protesters in Minneapolis blocked streets with debris and vandalized a hotel over the weekend while law enforcement response remained limited for hours, according to observations by the Daily Caller News Foundation. Federal officials have openly criticized what they see as a lack of local cooperation as unrest escalated following fatal shootings of two activists accused of interfering with immigration operations on Jan. 7 and Saturday. Apparently, barricades are now just part of the décor.
The Minnesota State Patrol arrested three protesters Friday at the Whipple Building in Minneapolis on charges including obstruction of legal process, unlawful assembly and public nuisance. All three were released with citations. One additional arrest for riot-related activity was made Saturday near 26th Street and Lyndale Avenue. Beyond that, the MSP reported no other protest-related arrests despite street blockades and a hotel riot.
The Minneapolis Police Department and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
DCNF reporters watched protesters block a road outside a hotel for more than two hours. Authorities said MSP and DNR officers were preparing to encircle the group for arrests when federal agents arrived without prior coordination and used chemical irritants to disperse the crowd.
“Where is the local PD?” an armed federal agent was heard shouting while guarding the hotel, bleeding from his face and hands. Only one local police officer was seen inside the hotel lobby.
The night before, rioters used trash cans, dumpsters and chairs to barricade an intersection, effectively creating a law-enforcement-free zone reminiscent of Seattle’s 2020 CHAZ episode. Police were later seen clearing the roads Sunday morning.
The Minneapolis Police Department acknowledged that a surge in ICE operations has increased citywide demands, forcing extended shifts, canceled days off and emergency recalls. The department also said it is down about one-third from its peak staffing levels due to a longstanding crisis.
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino publicly criticized the MPD, saying officers failed to respond when called to assist federal agents. The MPD later claimed it had no record of such a request.
Not all protests went unchecked. One anti-deportation demonstration at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport was handled swiftly, with about 100 arrests by MSP Airport Police.
President Donald Trump warned on Jan. 15 that he would consider invoking the Insurrection Act if state officials failed to protect federal agents, echoing his stance during the 2020 riots. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has placed the National Guard on standby.
Trump later said in a Truth Social post that he and Walz had a “very good” phone call about working together on law enforcement operations in Minnesota.
While some local authorities appear overwhelmed or hesitant, the administration is making clear that order will not be optional. With federal resolve and state cooperation now on the table, Minnesota has a real opportunity to restore control, protect officers, and reestablish the rule of law — which is exactly how stability begins.
