Tensions in Minneapolis remain dangerously high following a series of contradictory statements from US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem regarding the conduct of federal immigration agents. The controversy centres on the use of chemical irritants against protesters and has been further inflamed by a new Justice Department investigation and military preparations.
Contradictions and a Federal Court Order
During a Sunday appearance on CBS's Face the Nation, Kristi Noem, who is spearheading the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in the city known as "Operation Metro Surge", flatly denied that her department had used pepper spray on crowds. This statement directly contradicted a federal judge's findings from the previous Friday.
Judge Kate Menendez had ordered federal law enforcement to cease using pepper spray against peaceful protesters, ruling that agents had employed "chemical irritants" to punish people for exercising their protected First Amendment rights. When presented with video evidence showing chemical agents being used on four separate occasions, Noem backtracked. She then asserted that her department "only use those chemical agents when there's violence happening" and that it was necessary to establish law and order.
Military Moves and a Church Protest Investigation
The atmosphere in Minneapolis is increasingly volatile. The Pentagon has taken the significant step of ordering approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers stationed in Alaska to prepare for a potential deployment. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has labelled this move a "ridiculous" overreaction to what have been largely peaceful demonstrations against ICE agents' conduct.
Adding another layer to the conflict, the US Department of Justice announced on Sunday that it is investigating a group of protesters who disrupted services at the Cities Church in St. Paul. The church's pastor is reportedly David Easterwood, who also heads the local ICE field office. Footage livestreamed by Black Lives Matter Minnesota showed protesters chanting "ICE out" and "justice for Renee Good", a 37-year-old mother of three fatally shot by an ICE agent.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated the investigation would look into civil rights violations, calling the church "a space protected from exactly such acts." Activist Nekima Levy Armstrong of the Racial Justice Network dismissed the threat, arguing that concern should be focused on community "atrocities" rather than a disrupted service.
Legal Access Denied and Community Fear
The situation on the ground is marked by fear and allegations of rights violations. St. Paul's newly installed mayor, Kaohly Her, revealed she had been advised to carry her passport because "they may try to target me based on what I look like." Furthermore, attorneys have reported being blocked from seeing clients arrested during ICE operations.
According to ABC News, four attorneys were denied access to detainees at the federal building in Minneapolis. One immigration lawyer described being physically restricted by ICE agents from entering the attorney visitation room for hours, with agents stating, "we don't do attorney visitation." A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson denied these claims, insisting all detainees have opportunities to communicate with lawyers and receive full due process.
The escalating tensions led the Minneapolis parks department to cancel youth sports events out of an abundance of caution, underscoring the profound impact the federal surge is having on daily life in the city.
