MINNEAPOLIS — Late Friday night, a federal judge issued a sharp rebuke to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), barring federal agents from arresting or retaliating against peaceful protesters in Minneapolis.
The order, issued by U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez, follows weeks of escalating tension in the Twin Cities during "Operation Metro Surge"—a massive federal immigration enforcement action that has flooded the area with thousands of Border Patrol and ICE agents.
Protection for Peaceful Dissent
Judge Menendez’s ruling prohibits federal agents from:
Arresting individuals participating in peaceful protests unless they are suspected of specific criminal activity.
Using pepper spray, tear gas, or other "nonlethal munitions" against peaceful crowds.
Pointing firearms at observers or peaceful demonstrators.
Stopping or detaining drivers solely for following federal law enforcement vehicles.
In her order, Menendez noted that the behavior alleged by plaintiffs—including "the indiscriminate use of chemical irritants" and "the pointing of firearms"—was significant enough to "give rise to an objective chill of First Amendment rights."
Legal Battle Over "Metro Surge"
The injunction stems from a lawsuit filed by six Minneapolis-area residents who accused ICE and other federal agencies of violating their constitutional rights while they were monitoring raids in their neighborhoods.
The ruling comes in the wake of the fatal shooting of Renée Good, a 37-year-old mother who was killed by an ICE officer earlier this month while witnessing federal enforcement actions. The shooting has sparked widespread protests and led Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to sue the federal government to halt the operation.
DHS Response
The Department of Homeland Security defended its actions, stating they are necessary to maintain the rule of law. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin asserted that officers have used the "minimum amount of force necessary" to protect themselves from "dangerous rioters."
"Assaulting and obstructing law enforcement is a felony," McLaughlin said in an emailed statement, though she did not confirm if the agency intends to appeal the judge's order.
The ruling will remain in effect until the federal operation concludes or conditions change significantly. Meanwhile, the political rift continues to widen as the Justice Department reportedly explores criminal investigations into local leaders, including Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey, for their vocal opposition to the federal surge.
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