A planned pro-Immigration and Customs Enforcement demonstration in Minneapolis turned chaotic Saturday as hundreds of counterprotesters vastly outnumbered and ultimately chased away a small group of far-right activists near City Hall.
Conservative activist Jake Lang, who organized the rally in support of the Trump administration’s expanded immigration enforcement operations, found his demonstration overwhelmed by opposing voices who shouted over his attempts to address the crowd. Lang had promoted the event on social media platforms, announcing plans to stage what he described as an anti-Islam and anti-Somali demonstration that would include burning a Quran on the steps of City Hall.
The counterprotest response proved swift and decisive. Only a handful of supporters joined Lang’s demonstration, while several hundred opponents gathered at the same location, effectively drowning out the planned messaging and forcing the pro-ICE group to abandon their efforts.
🚨 THIS WAS AN ATTEMPTED MURDER
After being beaten unconscious by a Democrat-aligned mob, Jake Lang was dragged back into the crowd — and STABBED.
Read that again.
They didn’t stop when he was down.
They didn’t walk away.
They tried to kill him.This is what happens when… pic.twitter.com/44tcTr69sw
— Jim Ferguson (@JimFergusonUK) January 18, 2026
Tensions Escalate as Police Respond
The confrontation grew increasingly heated as counterprotesters not only vocally opposed Lang’s group but also took physical action, including forcing at least one attendee to remove clothing they found objectionable. Lang himself appeared to sustain injuries during the altercation, leaving the scene with visible bruises and scrapes on his head.
The situation prompted a significant law enforcement response, with Minneapolis police deploying an armored vehicle and heavily equipped officers to the area. Witnesses reported projectiles being thrown, including snowballs and water balloons, as tensions between the opposing groups reached a boiling point.
Lang’s background adds another layer of complexity to Saturday’s events. The activist was among those who received clemency from President Trump at the beginning of his second term, having previously faced charges including assaulting an officer with a baseball bat and civil disorder related to the January 6 Capitol incident. Following his clemency, Lang announced his intention to run for U.S. Senate in Florida.
National Guard on Standby as Protests Continue
The weekend demonstration occurred against the backdrop of ongoing daily protests throughout the Twin Cities, prompted by the Department of Homeland Security’s significantly expanded immigration enforcement presence in the region. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat and frequent Trump critic, has placed the state’s National Guard on alert to support law enforcement if needed.
Major Andrea Tsuchiya, a National Guard spokesperson, confirmed that units have been “mobilized” and are “staged and ready” to assist the state patrol in providing traffic support and protecting citizens’ right to peaceful assembly, though they have not yet been deployed.
Neo Nazi Jake Lang screams about the need for a race war into a megaphone, then gets saved from a mob of white people by a Black man.
You can’t make this up.
— Micah (@micah_erfan) January 18, 2026
The federal immigration operation in Minneapolis and St. Paul has brought more than 2,000 federal officers to the area since early January, marking one of the most intensive enforcement actions in the region’s recent history. The operation has generated significant controversy, particularly following the January 7 shooting death of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, during a confrontation with an ICE officer.
Local Officials Push Back Against Federal Operations
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has emerged as a vocal critic of the federal enforcement surge, appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday to express his opposition to what he characterized as an invasion by the federal government. Frey specifically criticized the potential deployment of 1,500 active-duty U.S. Army soldiers who have been placed on standby, calling such action unconstitutional.
“I never thought in a million years that we would be invaded by our own government,” Frey stated during his television appearance, reflecting the sentiment expressed by many local officials and community members.
The legal landscape surrounding the protests has also evolved, with a federal judge ruling Friday that immigration officers cannot detain or use tear gas against peaceful protesters who are not obstructing authorities. This ruling came as protesters have increasingly positioned themselves as observers of federal enforcement actions throughout the Twin Cities.
Jake Lang’s life was saved by an African-American man and he was treated by a Somali-American nurse, a stark reminder that humanity and professionalism rise above racism, even when hatred does not. pic.twitter.com/Xv2aHAfJ9i
— Farah Abdirahman (@faaraxyare) January 18, 2026
Community Impact and Individual Stories
The human impact of the enforcement operations has become a central focus for protesters and community advocates. During a Saturday news conference, Garrison Gibson, a 38-year-old man who fled civil war in Liberia as a child, described his fear of leaving his Minneapolis home following his recent arrest by federal agents.
Video footage of federal officers using a battering ram to break down Gibson’s front door on January 11 has circulated widely on social media, becoming a rallying point for those opposing the enforcement crackdown. Gibson had been ordered deported, apparently due to a 2008 drug conviction that was later dismissed, though he had been living legally in the country under an order of supervision.
Following his arrest, a judge ruled that federal officials had not provided Gibson with proper notice, though the specifics of that ruling remain unclear as legal proceedings continue.
Broader Implications for Immigration Policy
Saturday’s confrontation reflects the broader national tensions surrounding the Trump administration’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement. The Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, known for its diverse immigrant communities, including a significant Somali population, has become a focal point for both enforcement actions and resistance efforts.
Protester Luke Rimington articulated the sentiment driving many counterprotesters, stating, “We’re out here to show Nazis and ICE and DHS and [Trump’s Make America Great Again movement] you are not welcome in Minneapolis. Stay out of our city; stay out of our state. Go home.”
The daily protests that have occurred since the enforcement surge began show no signs of diminishing, with community organizations and activists maintaining a visible presence throughout the Twin Cities. The demonstrations have focused particularly on what protesters describe as aggressive tactics by masked immigration officers, including pulling individuals from homes and vehicles.
As the federal enforcement operation continues and community resistance persists, Minneapolis has become a microcosm of the national debate over immigration policy and enforcement priorities. The overwhelming response to Saturday’s pro-ICE rally demonstrates the depth of opposition within the local community, while also highlighting the potential for continued confrontations as both sides remain firmly entrenched in their positions.
The incident underscores the challenges facing federal authorities as they attempt to implement expanded enforcement measures in communities with strong opposition, while also raising questions about the balance between federal immigration policy and local community sentiment.