White House vs. Minnesota officials on anti-ICE protests

Despite Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara calling for calm and peaceful protests following the shooting death of a 37-year-old man by a federal agent, the White House claimed Monday that leaders in Minnesota have been fomenting unrest.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey "have shamefully blocked" local and state law enforcement from working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and "used their platforms to encourage left-wing agitators to stalk, record, confront and obstruct federal officers who were just trying to lawfully perform their duties."

Walz said at a news conference on Saturday that state and local law enforcement “have done everything possible” to de-escalate tensions.“

Despite the horrific acts by this federal government, Minnesotans are standing up for the rule of law,” he said. “They're protesting loudly and urgently, but peacefully.”

That same day, O’Hara called on Minnesotans to remain peaceful, despite “a lot of anger and a lot of questions.”“We ask everyone to remain calm and to, please, do not destroy our own city,” he said.

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