Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made a sterling statement during a press conference addressing a fatal shooting involving a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in south Minneapolis.
The incident occurred earlier that day when an ICE officer shot and killed a woman reportedly in her 30s during an immigration enforcement operation. Federal authorities (DHS) described it as self-defense, claiming the woman attempted to run over officers with her vehicle.
Walz and local officials disputed this account, with Walz saying he had seen video evidence and calling the federal narrative “propaganda.” He urged peaceful protests while criticizing the Trump administration’s escalated immigration operations in Minnesota, which involve thousands of agents targeting undocumented immigrants amid an ongoing welfare fraud investigation.
Walz issued a “warning order” to prepare the Minnesota National Guard for potential deployment if unrest escalates like riots similar to 2020. This is a preliminary alert for equipment checks and notifications—it is not a full activation or deployment. He also activated the State’s Emergency Operations Center.
In his remarks:
I’ve issued a warning order to prepare the Minnesota National Guard… these National Guard troops are our National Guard troops. Minnesota will not allow our community to be used as a prop in a national political fight.” He added context like: “We do not need any further help from the federal government… To Donald Trump and [DHS Secretary] Kristi Noem: You’ve done enough.
Walz emphasized the Guard would protect Minnesotans’ safety and rights, urged peaceful demonstrations, and said the state would not “take the bait” by allowing escalation into violence that could justify further federal intervention.
This comes amid heightened tensions from the Trump administration’s deployment of ~2,000 federal agents to Minnesota for immigration enforcement and fraud probes largely involving the Somali community. Protests followed the shooting, with some reports of unrest (e.g., damage to a federal courthouse), but no widespread riots as of now.
CBS Minnesota, confirm the quote and details, though interpretations vary: some view it as preparing to confront federal agents, others as standard precaution for public safety/order. No full Guard deployment has occurred.
Protests following the January 7 fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman identified as Renee Good in some reports by an ICE officer have turned chaotic, with reports of rioters smashing doors at a federal courthouse and chants of “ICE OUT NOW!” Walz’s warning order prepares the Guard primarily for potential civil unrest, similar to precautions during the 2020 George Floyd protests.
He has repeatedly urged peaceful demonstrations, warning that violence could “take the bait” and justify further federal intervention. The “warning order” is a preparatory step—alerting ~13,000 Guard members for equipment checks and notifications—not an activation.
The State Emergency Operations Center is active, coordinating with local law enforcement. As of now, no widespread riots have been reported beyond isolated damage. Federal officials (DHS, ICE) claim self-defense, saying the woman attempted to run over agents.
Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey dispute this, citing video evidence, and call the federal account “propaganda” or “bulls**t.” Investigations by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and FBI are ongoing.
Walz’s rhetoric—”We do not need any further help from the federal government… You’ve done enough” directed at Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem—frames the ~2,000 federal agents’ presence as a “political fight” and public safety threat.
His emphasis on “these National Guard troops are our National Guard troops” asserts state control while the Guard remains in state status not federalized. This echoes sanctuary policies but stops short of direct interference with ICE operations.
Conservative sources interpret this as “civil war-style rhetoric” or potential obstruction of federal law (immigration enforcement). If unrest escalates and Walz deploys the Guard to prioritize local order over federal operations, it could lead to standoffs. President Trump could federalize the Minnesota National Guard under the Insurrection Act, overriding Walz—a move discussed in right-leaning media but not yet indicated.
The federal surge targets alleged multi-billion-dollar welfare fraud like child care and feeding programs involving Somali communities, with funds frozen and over 1,000 arrests reported. Walz views it as demonization; critics see state resistance as protecting fraud or sanctuary policies.
This could blueprint conflicts in other Democratic-led states/cities e.g., Chicago, LA facing similar surges. Walz called for solidarity among targeted areas. Increased fear in immigrant communities especially Somali-Minnesotans, potential for more protests, and strained local-federal coordination.
Neutral/local sources emphasize Walz’s focus on protecting constitutional rights and preventing 2020-style destruction. Political fallout: amplifies partisan divides—left-leaning views see federal actions as reckless and overreach; right-leaning as necessary law enforcement met with defiance.
No evidence of Walz intending Guard confrontation with feds; primary goal appears maintaining state control over public order. The situation remains fluid, with risks of escalation if protests intensify or federal operations continue aggressively.






