Donald Trump has unleashed a fierce critique of what he terms ‘agitators, insurrectionists, and troublemakers’ in Minnesota, following the Justice Department’s decision to subpoena state officials.
Trump’s remarks were in response to escalating unrest in Minneapolis, which erupted after an ICE agent fatally shot a woman amid protests against the immigration crackdown on January 7.
“How can you have a place with 10,000 criminals, how can you have a state?” Trump questioned reporters at the White House on Tuesday. He described a ‘professional agitator’ who was reportedly yelling ‘shame’ at the scene of Renee Good’s shooting, likening it to an opera performance.
The president’s comments coincided with revelations that the Justice Department had issued subpoenas to the offices of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and state Attorney General Keith Ellison. These actions are part of an investigation into alleged obstructions of ICE activities.
Last week, Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to curb the riots ignited by Good’s shooting. He expressed his condolences, saying, “It’s a tragedy, a horrible thing,” and noted that Good’s family were Trump supporters.
“I learned her parents, her father in particular— I hope he still is— was a tremendous Trump fan. It’s a hard situation… It’s so sad, it’s just terrible,” Trump commented.
The president held up a batch of posters showing criminals who he claimed had entered the country under Joe Biden.
‘Twenty-four convictions. Twenty-four times convicted. They are not charges. They are convictions,’ Trump said holding up the poster for one of the criminals. ‘Do you think he’s going to be good here?’
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press briefing at the White House, on the one-year mark into his second term in office, in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 20
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz poses with Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar in August, 2024
Minneapolis Mayor, Jacob Frey, walks past a mosque in a predominantly Somali neighborhood ahead of Friday prayer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., on January 16
The president also attacked ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon amid a brewing scandal over the journalist entering a church during an anti-ICE protest targeting worshippers.
‘Don Lemon is a loser, lightweight. I saw him walk into that church, it was terrible. I have such respect for that pastor. So calm and nice. He was accosted. What they did in that church was horrible,’ Trump said.
The president also turned his ire on Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Somalian-born lawmaker who has been a frequent target of the administration which has accused the Somalian community of widespread welfare fraud.
‘She comes from Somalia, the worst country. They don’t have anything. They just have people running around killing each other and trying to pirate ships,’ Trump said.
‘But she’ll come here, and then she wants to tell us how to run our country.’
The FBI on Tuesday served grand jury subpoenas to five Minnesota government offices as part of a federal investigation into alleged conspiracy to coerce or obstruct federal law enforcement during ongoing ICE operations.
Subpoenas were also issued to the offices of St Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and Hennepin County attorney Mary Moriarty.
Attorney General Pam Bondi arrived in Minnesota on an unannounced visit on Tuesday.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt listens as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press briefing at the White House, on the one-year mark into his second term in office, in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 20
Trump holds a press briefing with reporters at the White House
Leavitt listends as U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured) speaks during a press briefing at the White House, on the one-year mark into his second term in office
Trump speaks during a press briefing at the White House
Trump leafs through a book of his administration’s accomplishments as he joins the White House briefing in the James S Brady Press Briefing Room
Documents are seen on the ground after President Donald Trump displayed them during a press briefing
President Donald Trump speaks during a press briefing at the White House
The Justice Department declined to comment.
US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche warned last week that Walz and Frey were on the brink of committing a crime with their anti-ICE speeches.
‘When the governor or the mayor threaten our officers, when the mayor suggests that he’s encouraging citizens to call 911 when they see ICE officers, that is very close to a federal crime,’ Blanche said.
