Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche Condemns Violent Anti-ICE Protests as “Minnesota Insurrection” and “Terrorism” Encouraged by Gov. Walz and Mayor Frey; Vows to Stop Them “By Whatever Means Necessary”

After a second ICE involved shooting in Minneapolis this month, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a blistering statement Wednesday night on the violent anti-ICE protests on the city, calling the riots the “Minnesota insurrection” and “terrorism”; vowing to stop the leaders, Governor Tim Walz (D) and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) “by whatever means necessary.”

Blanche’s comments came in response a report by Fox News reporter Bill Melugin that an ICE agent in Minneapolis shot a Venezuelan illegal alien he was trying to arrest who was beating him with a shovel, “BREAKING: I’m told by four law enforcement sources there has been another ICE involved shooting in Minneapolis tonight. I’m told ICE was making contact with a target who then allegedly assaulted an officer with a shovel or swung a shovel, shots were fired, and the suspect ran back to a house. No info yet on if anyone was actually shot – just that shots were fired. Very preliminary info – more as we get it….I’m now told a suspect, believed to be Venezuelan, was indeed shot, but is okay/stable and is now in custody.”

I’m now told a suspect, believed to be Venezuelan, was indeed shot, but is okay/stable and is now in custody.

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 15, 2026

Blanche posted: “ICE operates in thousands of counties without incident. Men and women doing their jobs, protecting us from criminal aliens. Minnesota insurrection is a direct result of a FAILED governor and a TERRIBLE mayor encouraging violence against law enforcement. It’s disgusting. Walz and Frey – I’m focused on stopping YOU from your terrorism by whatever means necessary. This is not a threat. It’s a promise.”

ICE operates in thousands of counties without incident. Men and women doing their jobs, protecting us from criminal aliens.

Minnesota insurrection is a direct result of a FAILED governor and a TERRIBLE mayor encouraging violence against law enforcement. It’s disgusting.

Walz… https://t.co/govuUtcDVN

— Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) January 15, 2026

At a press conference Wednesday night, Mayor Frey complained that he does not have enough police officers “to fight ICE agents on the street” as resident want, saying he has only 600 officers while ICE has sent 3,000 agents to Minneapolis:

Frey: What I can tell you for certain is that this is not sustainable. This is an impossible situation that our city is presently being put in…

And we’re in a position right now where we have residents that are asking the very limited number of police officers that we have to… pic.twitter.com/vwTJDdIhXk

— Acyn (@Acyn) January 15, 2026

Walz, in a speech to the state Wednesday night, said, “Armed, masked under-trained ICE agents are going door to door, ordering people to point out where their neighbors of color live”:

Governor Walz: “ICE agents are going door-to-door & ordering to turn in neighbors of color” pic.twitter.com/nrU5FnDlBB

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 15, 2026

Earlier Wednesday, Blanche responded to Walz defending a resistance federal prosecutor, “Billions in taxpayer dollars wasted and flowing to foreign criminals, policies that protect criminal aliens over law-abiding citizens, ignoring federal law by releasing criminal alien murderers and pedophiles to MN neighborhoods. Encouraging lawlessness and violence against law enforcement. It is pretty clear the soon-to-be former Gov neither understands how the law works, nor what it means to be “nonpartisan.”

Billions in taxpayer dollars wasted and flowing to foreign criminals, policies that protect criminal aliens over law-abiding citizens, ignoring federal law by releasing criminal alien murderers and pedophiles to MN neighborhoods. Encouraging lawlessness and violence against law… https://t.co/exxtK2dbma

— Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) January 14, 2026

The White House posted a statement on the shooting from the Department of Homeland Security accusing Walz and Frey of ” actively encouraging an organized resistance to ICE and federal law enforcement officers.”

“STATEMENT FROM @DHSgov: “At 6:50 PM CT, federal law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation of an illegal alien, who was released into the country by Joe Biden, in Northwestern Minneapolis.

In an attempt to evade arrest, the subject fled the scene in his vehicle and crashed into a parked car. The subject then fled on foot.

The law enforcement officer caught up to the subject on foot and attempted to apprehend him when the subject began to resist and violently assault the officer. While the subject and law enforcement were in a struggle on the ground, two subjects came out of a nearby apartment and also attacked the law enforcement officer with a snow shovel and broom handle.

As the officer was being ambushed and attacked by the two individuals, the original subject got loose and began striking the officer with a shovel or broom stick.

Fearing for his life and safety as he was being ambushed by three individuals, the officer fired defensive shots to defend his life. The initial subject was hit in the leg.

All three subjects ran back into the apartment and barricaded themselves inside.

The attacked officer and subject are both in the hospital.

This attack on another brave member of law enforcement took place while Minnesota’s top leaders, Governor Walz and Mayor Frey, are actively encouraging an organized resistance to ICE and federal law enforcement officers.

Their hateful rhetoric and resistance against men and women who are simply trying to do their jobs must end. Federal law enforcement officers are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest criminals and lawbreakers.”

STATEMENT FROM @DHSgov: “At 6:50 PM CT, federal law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation of an illegal alien, who was released into the country by Joe Biden, in Northwestern Minneapolis.

In an attempt to evade arrest, the subject fled the scene in his… pic.twitter.com/D1B6zY2rDj

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 15, 2026

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