Biden-Appointed Judge Restricts ICE Tactics in Minneapolis Amid Exploding Riots
A federal judge appointed by Joe Biden has issued a controversial order that many critics say effectively ties the hands of immigration agents, just as Minneapolis continues to spiral into violent unrest. U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez ruled late Friday that ICE agents are barred from detaining, dispersing, or using any form of crowd control — including tear gas — on so-called “peaceful protesters,” unless they can prove probable cause or reasonable suspicion of a crime.
The order adds a new layer of complexity to what is already one of the most dangerous law enforcement environments in the country. ICE agents operating in the Minneapolis area have been met with escalating resistance in recent weeks, including riots, vehicle attacks, and coordinated surveillance by anti-ICE extremists.
In her ruling, Judge Menendez also made clear that simply following or filming officers “at an appropriate distance” is not sufficient reason for agents to intervene — effectively giving rioters and agitators more legal cover.
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin slammed the decision and warned that the courts must not provide shelter for criminal activity disguised as protest.
“We remind the public that rioting is dangerous — obstructing law enforcement is a federal crime and assaulting law enforcement is a felony,” McLaughlin said. “Rioters and terrorists have assaulted law enforcement, launched fireworks at them, slashed the tires of their vehicles, and vandalized federal property. Others have ignored commands and used their vehicles as weapons.”
McLaughlin emphasized that despite repeated assaults, federal law enforcement officers have exercised restraint and followed strict rules of engagement.
“This is not a protest — it’s an operation,” reported Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams, who has been embedded with law enforcement in Minneapolis. “Anti-ICE activists are acting like trained operatives. They track, doxx, and harass anyone they believe is affiliated with ICE. They take photos of people and vehicles and upload the info to their database.”
The judge’s ruling comes less than two weeks after ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot a woman named Renee Good, who had reportedly used her vehicle as a weapon during an ICE operation. The Department of Homeland Security says Ross acted in self-defense and likely saved other agents’ lives. Good was a known anti-ICE activist and had been monitoring operations in the area.
Despite all this, local leaders like Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey have openly encouraged Minnesotans to track and record ICE agents, feeding what DHS now believes is a coordinated attempt to undermine federal immigration enforcement.
With federal agents under siege and a federal judge restricting their ability to respond, many now worry the situation in Minneapolis may soon reach a tipping point — not just in law enforcement terms, but in the constitutional balance of power between state-sanctioned obstruction and federal authority.