Trump-Pardoned Rioter Faces Backlash at Minneapolis ICE Rally
A small pro-ICE rally in Minneapolis turned chaotic on Saturday. Jake Lang, a January 6 rioter pardoned by US President Donald Trump, led the event. He quickly found himself overwhelmed by a much larger counter-protest.
Rally Meets Resistance
Lang gathered with supporters outside the federal courthouse. They played the song Ice Ice Baby and made anti-immigrant remarks. Lang claimed immigrants were replacing white Americans. He had promoted the event online as a Crusader march. Lang also used the term Little Somalia for the area, referencing Minneapolis' large Somali population.
Dozens of counter-protesters soon surrounded Lang's group. They shouted slogans and held anti-ICE signs. Videos from the scene showed crowds forcing Lang away from the courthouse. Tensions rose, and Lang was chased from the area.
Lang's Claims of Violence
After the rally, Lang took to social media with dramatic claims. He said he had been attacked and stabbed by a counter-protester. Lang wrote on X, I just got stabbed by a crazie white commie leftist rioter today in Minnesota. In another post, he stated, I was just literally lynched by an anti-white mob of liberals & illegal immigrants- I’m at the hospital now getting staples in my skull..Nearly ripped limb from limb in Minneapolis!!!!
Lang said he was taken to the hospital. He accused city authorities of failing to protect him. Lang urged Trump to send in the National Guard. He also shared a fundraising link for his medical bills.
Broader Context of Federal Presence
The protests occurred amid rising anger in Minneapolis. A surge of federal immigration agents has sparked controversy. Earlier this month, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman. The shooting ignited protests across the country.
Local and state leaders have openly criticized the federal presence. Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey told ICE to leave the city. Minnesota officials have sued the Trump administration. They argue that the deployment of agents is unconstitutional.
Political Reactions
The White House has rejected the criticism. It accused Democrats of encouraging violence against law enforcement. Trump has warned he could invoke the Insurrection Act. This would deploy active-duty troops against protesters. However, he later appeared to soften his comments.
Lang was one of around 1,600 people granted clemency by Trump. This happened on Trump's first day back in office. The events in Minneapolis highlight ongoing tensions over immigration policies and federal actions in US cities.
