A rally in support of federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, led by a pardoned January 6 rioter, was dramatically overwhelmed by counter-protesters on Saturday, 17 January 2026. The event descended into chaos as the far smaller pro-ICE group was chased from the city's federal courthouse and pelted with water balloons in sub-freezing temperatures.
Clash at the 'Crusader March'
The rally, branded a 'CRUSADER MARCH' by its organiser Jake Lang, was intended to show support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Lang, who was among roughly 1,600 rioters granted clemency by President Donald Trump on his first day back in office, used inflammatory rhetoric ahead of the event. He promised to burn a Quran on the steps of City Hall and referred to the area as 'Little Somalia', targeting Minnesota's large Somali community.
According to reports, Lang's group played the song 'Ice Ice Baby' and made claims about immigrants 'replacing' white people. However, they were quickly shouted down. A group called the People's Action Coalition Against Trump mobilised dozens of counter-demonstrators, who vastly outnumbered Lang's supporters. Chants of 'F*** Nazis every day' echoed as the two sides faced off.
Violent Scuffles and Political Backdrop
The situation turned physical as counter-protesters surrounded Lang, pulled at his clothes, and attempted to remove him from the courthouse steps. Video footage later posted by Lang showed what appeared to be blood on his neck, and he claimed on social media platform X that he had been 'stabbed by a crazie white commie leftist rioter'. The counter-protesters also hurled snowballs and water balloons at the pro-ICE group as they were chased from the scene.
This confrontation unfolded against a tense political backdrop. Hundreds of federal immigration agents have recently flooded into Minneapolis following a pair of shootings by ICE officers. One incident on 7 January resulted in the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, sparking national outrage. In response, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told ICE to 'get the f*** out', and the state of Minnesota has sued the Trump administration over the 'unprecedented' surge of agents.
National Repercussions and Ongoing Tensions
The event highlights the deep national divisions over immigration policy. The White House has vowed to redouble enforcement efforts, while the Department of Justice has accused Mayor Frey and Governor Tim Walz of obstructing law enforcement. Governor Walz condemned this as a 'dangerous, authoritarian tactic'.
Lang, who was charged with attacking police officers with a bat during the January 6 Capitol riot and spent four years in jail, has become a vocal figure on social media, regularly posting anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim content. His failed Senate bid in Florida and his actions in Minneapolis illustrate how figures from the January 6 attacks remain active in political agitation.
In preparation for further unrest, the Minnesota National Guard has been mobilised to support local agencies, though they are not currently deployed on city streets. A federal judge has also moved to limit the use of force against protesters, blocking agents from retaliating against peaceful demonstrations.
