At a Glance
- A judge will rule quickly on whether to halt ICE raids in Minnesota.
- 2,000 arrests have been made since December amid street clashes and a fatal shooting.
- The Pentagon may send 40 military lawyers to support the surge.
- Why it matters: The crackdown has sparked protests, lawsuits, and a constitutional showdown over federal power.
A federal judge has given the Trump administration until Monday to defend its sweeping immigration crackdown in Minnesota, where street confrontations, tear gas, and the fatal shooting of Renee Good have inflamed tensions across the state.
Legal Showdown Looms
U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez kept the case on an expedited track after the state and cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul argued the surge violates free-speech and constitutional rights. The Justice Department must file its response by Monday; a ruling on the request for a restraining order could follow immediately.
“What we need most of all right now is a pause. The temperature needs to be lowered,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian Carter.
Menendez called the issues “grave and important,” noting few legal precedents exist for the constitutional questions raised.
Fatal Encounter Sparks Outrage
The crisis escalated on January 7 when ICE officer Jonathan Ross fatally shot Good, a Minneapolis woman, as she drove away from agents. Bystander video shows three officers surrounding her SUV on a snowy street; Ross fires at least three shots at close range as the vehicle moves forward.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Ross acted in self-defense, alleging Good used her SUV as a weapon. A Homeland Security official, speaking anonymously, told Ethan R. Coleman that Ross suffered internal bleeding to his torso, but provided no details on severity, diagnosis, or treatment.
Video from the scene shows Ross walking without obvious difficulty after the shooting.
Military Lawyers May Join Effort
The Pentagon is preparing to send 40 military lawyers-judge advocate general officers-to Minneapolis, according to an email cited by CNN. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requested branches identify personnel; 25 would serve as special assistant U.S. attorneys.
Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson reposted the CNN report on X, saying the military “is proud to support” the Justice Department.
The Pentagon previously dispatched 20 lawyers to Memphis last week, part of a broader administration move to embed military and civilian attorneys in immigration hot spots.
Concerns Over Military Justice System
Mark Nevitt, a former Navy JAG and associate professor at Emory University School of Law, warned the assignments could strain the military justice system.
“There are not many JAGs but there are over one million members of the military, and they all need legal support,” he said.
Governor Denounces Federal Tactics
During a televised address, Governor Tim Walz described Minnesota as “in chaos,” declaring the federal operation “a campaign of organized brutality against the people of Minnesota by our own federal government.”
Walz added that “accountability” will come through the courts and revealed the administration has denied the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension any role in investigating Good’s death.
Protests Spread Across Cities
Hundreds of St. Paul teenagers walked out of class in freezing temperatures, marching to the state Capitol with signs reading “Love Melts ICE” and “DE-ICE MN.”
The University of Minnesota, with 50,000-plus students, warned some classes may shift online when the new term starts next week. President Rebecca Cunningham cited violence and protests that “have come to our doorstep,” noting the campus borders the city’s main Somali neighborhood.
Family Vows Independent Probe
Good’s family retained Romanucci & Blandin-the firm that secured a $27 million settlement for George Floyd’s family. Attorneys say Good was following orders to move her car when she was shot and pledged to conduct their own investigation.
“They do not want her used as a political pawn,” the firm said, “but rather as an agent of peace for all.”
Arrest Toll Mounts
Since early December, Homeland Security reports more than 2,000 arrests statewide. Agents have dragged people from cars and homes, triggering angry confrontations with residents demanding federal officers leave.
The department vowed no retreat, even as local leaders filed lawsuits and protesters filled the streets.
Key Takeaways
- A judge could halt ICE operations within days; the Justice Department has until Monday to respond.
- The Pentagon may send 40 military lawyers, intensifying federal presence.
- The fatal shooting of Renee Good remains central to public outrage and legal challenges.
- Protests have spread from Minneapolis to high-school walkouts and potential university closures.
