U.S. Justice Dept. appeals short-term restraining order on federal brokers’ response to protests

The Division of Justice on Monday afternoon filed its intent to enchantment a latest ruling that limits ways federal regulation enforcement are permitted to make use of of their dealing with of ongoing protests in Minneapolis.

The discover of enchantment comes simply days after U.S. District Choose Katherine Menendez blocked federal brokers who’re deployed to Minnesota as a part of the Trump administration’s immigration operations from utilizing pepper spray or nonlethal munitions on, or arresting, peaceable protesters.

The order additionally bars federal regulation enforcement from stopping or detaining drivers and passengers when there may be “no cheap articulable suspicion” that folks driving close to protests are forcibly interfering with regulation enforcement operations.

On Sunday, Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem known as the order “somewhat ridiculous.”

“We solely use these chemical brokers when there’s violence taking place and perpetuating and also you want to have the ability to set up regulation and order to maintain folks secure,” Noem mentioned. “In order that choose’s order did not change something for a way we’re working on the bottom, as a result of it is mainly telling us to do what we have already been doing.”

Based on new reporting from CNN, the Trump administration remains to be discussing invoking the Rebel Act in Minnesota, however solely as a final resort.

Attributing their reporting to senior administration officers, invoking the act is one thing “they have not but moved nearer to doing” as of but.

President Trump made related statements about utilizing the Rebel Act final fall when federal immigration enforcement forces had their websites turned on the Chicago space for “Operation Halfway Blitz.” Finally, he shunned invoking it.

Federal ICE and Border Patrol brokers have carried out over 3,000 arrests within the Minneapolis space because the begin of Operation Metro Surge, in accordance with Division of Homeland Safety spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin.

There are estimated to now be at the least 3,000 ICE and CBP brokers and officers deployed within the space. 

The mayor of Minneapolis mentioned Sunday that sending energetic responsibility troopers into Minnesota to assist with an immigration crackdown is a ridiculous and unconstitutional thought as he urged protesters to stay peaceable so the president will not see a must ship within the U.S. army.

The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active-duty troopers based mostly in Alaska who focus on working in arctic situations to be prepared in case of a potential deployment to Minnesota, two protection officers mentioned Sunday.

The officers, who spoke on situation of anonymity to debate delicate army plans, mentioned two infantry battalions of the Military’s eleventh Airborne Division have been given prepare-to-deploy orders. One protection official mentioned the troops are standing by to deploy to Minnesota ought to President Donald Trump invoke the Rebel Act.

“It is ridiculous, however we won’t be intimidated by the actions of this federal authorities,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey informed CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday. “It isn’t honest, it is not simply, and it is utterly unconstitutional.”

1000’s of Minneapolis residents are exercising their First Modification rights and the protests have been peaceable, Frey mentioned.

“We’re not going to take the bait. We won’t counter Donald Trump’s chaos with our personal model of chaos right here,” Frey mentioned.

Gov. Tim Walz has mobilized the Minnesota Nationwide Guard, though no items have been deployed to the streets.

The Division of Justice mentioned Sunday it’s investigating a gaggle of protesters in Minnesota who disrupted companies at a church the place a neighborhood official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apparently serves as a pastor.

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Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara says he worries about escalating tensions amid U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement exercise within the space. However high ICE official Marcos Charles says his officers act “lawfully and with professionalism.”

CBS Information just lately spoke with O’Hara and Charles, who oversees arrests and deportations nationwide, together with Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis. Each are veteran regulation enforcement officers who’ve very completely different views of what’s unfolding.

See the interviews right here.

A 36-year-old man who was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis died whereas in federal custody in Texas on Wednesday, in accordance with the company. 

Safety personnel discovered Victor Manuel Diaz unconscious and unresponsive in his room at Camp East Montana in El Paso, in accordance with ICE. 

El Paso Emergency Medical Providers have been notified at 3:35 p.m. native time and have been on the web site trying life-saving measures 10 minutes later, the federal company mentioned. Diaz died at 4:09 p.m.

“He died of a presumed suicide,” ICE mentioned in a press release. “Nonetheless, the official explanation for his demise stays beneath investigation.” 

Diaz was arrested by federal officers on Jan. 6. Based on federal officers, he was a Nicaraguan who entered the U.S. illegally from Mexico on March 26, 2024. He was encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol brokers that very same day. 

“After processing, he was served a discover to seem earlier than an immigration choose and launched on parole pending his courtroom date,” the federal company mentioned.

Based on federal officers, an immigration choose ordered Diaz be faraway from the nation final August. 

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As immigration enforcement operations proceed all through the Twin Cities, the Nationwide Climate Service has issued a chilly climate advisory as temperatures fall, winds choose up and the world reaches what information point out is historically the coldest stretch of climate of the 12 months.

The advisory was issued for Sunday night and lasting at the least via midday Monday, calling for “very chilly wind chills as little as 35 under anticipated.”

“The chilly wind chills as little as 35 under zero might trigger frostbite on uncovered pores and skin in as little as 10 minutes,” the company reported.

Enforcement operations are additionally being carried out in Higher Minnesota, the place the NWS has issued a winter climate advisory as contemporary snow and wind gusts result in “widespread low visibility.”

One of many breaking developments late final week was that the U.S. Justice Division has opened legal investigations into Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for allegedly obstructing the work of federal brokers. 

Showing on WCCO Sunday Morning with Esme Murphy, Lawyer Common Keith Ellison known as this latter investigation “from the playbook.”

“That is the president who’s persecuting Jerome Powell of the Fed, who tried to prosecute James Comey of the FBI, and the present legal professional basic of New York, Letitia James. He makes use of the legal justice system to persecute the folks he would not like,” Ellison mentioned.

As federal brokers proceed to sq. off in opposition to Minneapolis residents, the battle over the ICE enforcement surge continues to warmth up in courtroom filings. One lawsuit is searching for a right away short-term restraining order limiting ICE actions. The choose mentioned final week she wouldn’t challenge the short-term restraining order till she heard a response from the federal authorities. That response is because of be filed at 5 p.m. Monday.

Hennepin Healthcare confirms that the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety served a subpoena to examine the Degree 1 trauma middle’s employment varieties. This subpoena was, in accordance with hospital officers, served on Jan. 8, in the future after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good in south Minneapolis.

“Employers are required by regulation to confirm workers’ id and employment eligibility utilizing an I-9 kind, and the company is legally approved to examine this info. Hennepin Healthcare follows federal rules to correctly confirm employment eligibility and has equipped the data required by the subpoena,” Hennepin Healthcare officers informed WCCO.

WCCO reached out to the Division of Homeland Safety to ask whether or not related subpoenas have been served to different Minnesota trauma facilities. The company’s response didn’t handle that query.

A Libyan man who has been in Minnesota for medical therapy for a uncommon pores and skin situation — Epidermolysis Bullosa, which makes his pores and skin extraordinarily fragile, inflicting it to tear simply— has been detained by ICE brokers.

Hani Duglof’s situation additionally impacts the esophagus, which means he can solely eat comfortable meals. Typically, he mentioned, his pleas for comfortable meals have been ignored. 

“‘I am sorry, this is not a five-star resort,'” Duglof mentioned one official informed him. 

He mentioned that, after being detained, the cramped concrete rooms of the Whipple constructing instantly triggered his pores and skin to blister. 

“They handcuffed me, I felt like (I used to be) being handled like a legal,” Duglof mentioned. “They tried to take my fingerprints, however due to my situation, I haven’t got fingerprints.” 

Duglof is among the many reported 2,500 folks ICE mentioned the company has detained because the begin of Operation Metro Surge in early December.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey appeared on CBS Information’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” Sunday morning, and in his dialog mentioned the administration’s immigration operations in Minnesota’s largest metropolis really feel like an “occupying drive that has fairly actually invaded our metropolis.”

Frey continued, “You possibly can undergo no matter rhetorical flourish you need, however when you’ve got 3,000 ICE brokers and border management come to the town, whenever you’ve obtained this supposed risk of 1,500 army coming to the town, yeah, that is very a lot what it seems like.”

Frey’s look adopted Brennan’s dialog with Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem, who known as on state leaders to “arrange a peaceable protest zone in order that these people can train their First Modification rights and achieve this peacefully.” 

Frey retorted, “First Modification speech is just not restricted to 1 park or one part of the town. … You possibly can’t have only one part of a metropolis. That is not the best way First Modification works.”

The St. Paul Veterans Affairs’ Regional Profit Workplace introduced that they’ll quickly shut their workplace on the Whipple federal constructing in south Minneapolis.

“We’re quickly closed. Throughout this time, we could have workers out there on the Minneapolis VAMC and just about, by way of VERA,” learn a banner posted on the high of the company’s web site as of Sunday morning.

About 1,500 active-duty troopers are on standby for potential deployment to Minneapolis, a U.S. protection official informed CBS Information Saturday.

ABC Information was first to report that the troopers have been on standby. 

The troopers — from the eleventh Airborne Division at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska — are one choice the army is planning for if President Trump decides to make use of active-duty army personnel, the official mentioned.

No resolution has but been made on whether or not to deploy the troopers, the official mentioned.

Mr. Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke the Rebel Act with a view to ship federal troops into Minneapolis. 

Lots of of counterprotesters drowned out a far-right activist’s try to carry a small rally in help of the Trump administration’s newest immigration crackdown in Minneapolis on Saturday, because the governor’s workplace introduced that Nationwide Guard troops have been mobilized and able to help regulation enforcement although not but deployed to metropolis streets.

There have been protests every single day because the Division of Homeland Safety ramped up immigration enforcement within the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul by bringing in additional than 2,000 federal officers.

Conservative influencer Jake Lang organized an anti-Islam, anti-Somali and pro-ICE demonstration, saying on social media beforehand that he supposed to “burn a Quran” on the steps of Metropolis Corridor. Nevertheless it was not clear if he carried out that plan.

Solely a small variety of folks confirmed up for Lang’s demonstration, whereas a whole bunch of counterprotesters converged on the web site, yelling over his makes an attempt to talk and chasing the pro-ICE group away. They compelled at the least one particular person to take off a shirt they deemed objectionable.

Lang seemed to be injured as he left the scene, with bruises and scrapes on his head.

Lang was beforehand charged with assaulting an officer with a baseball bat, civil dysfunction and different crimes earlier than receiving clemency as a part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping act of clemency for Jan. 6 defendants final 12 months. Lang just lately introduced that he’s operating for U.S. Senate in Florida.

In Minneapolis, snowballs and water balloons have been additionally thrown earlier than an armored police van and closely outfitted metropolis police arrived.

“We’re out right here to indicate Nazis and ICE and DHS and MAGA you aren’t welcome in Minneapolis,” protester Luke Rimington mentioned. “Keep out of our metropolis, keep out of our state. Go residence.”

The Minneapolis Police Division launched a press release relating to Saturday’s protests. 

“Right this moment, when crowds blocked roadways, automobiles have been used to dam roadways, MPD deployed sources and made public bulletins for folks transfer to the sidewalk or out of the world. This occurred a number of instances. Basically, crowds have been conscious of these directives.” 

The Metropolis of Minneapolis urged on social media for neighborhood members to proceed to be peaceable and lawful within the presence of federal immigration brokers. 

Metropolis and state leaders have repeated this message because the protests first began. 

Conservative activist Jake Lang posted on social media that he was injured throughout immediately’s protests. 

Lang organized an anti-Islam protest in entrance of Minneapolis Metropolis Corridor, which was met with counterprotesters. Social media movies are circulating that present Lang visibly bleeding. In some, Lang could be seen on the bottom. 

A number of bodily altercations occurred in the course of the two opposing protests. 

The Minneapolis Police Division mentioned it is conscious of social media accounts of Lang being assaulted, and that, as of Friday evening, an official report hasn’t been filed with authorities.

“MPD encourages anybody who has skilled assaultive conduct to report the incident as quickly as potential and supply as a lot element as they’ll, together with the date, time, and site of the incident, an outline of any suspects, and the character and extent of any accidents sustained,” the company mentioned in a written assertion.

WCCO has not heard if there have been different accidents. 

The Minnesota Nationwide Guard posted on social media that they’re on standby and able to help native regulation enforcement and public security companies. 

The publish additionally mentioned if members are activated, they are going to be carrying reflective vests to assist distinguish them from different companies in related uniforms. 

Division of Public Security Commissioner Bob Jacobsen and Main Common Shawn Manke with the Minnesota Nationwide Guard mentioned measures the state is taking at a information convention on Friday afternoon. Manke mentioned members have been mobilized, although they won’t be used until wanted.   

In a social media publish Saturday, the Minnesota Division of Public Security mentioned that the Minnesota Nationwide Guard had been mobilized on the path of Gov. Tim Walz, however had not but been deployed to metropolis streets. 

“They don’t seem to be deployed to metropolis streets right now, however are prepared to assist help public security, together with safety of life, preservation of property and supporting the rights of all who assemble peacefully,” the company wrote.  

Walz earlier this month issued a warning order to arrange the Nationwide Guard in response to the deadly capturing of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.  

Protesters arrived at Minneapolis Metropolis Corridor early Saturday afternoon. 

Minneapolis Police have been on scene to clear protesters out of the street and steer them again to the permitted space. 

Heated exchanges have erupted between opposing protests outdoors Metropolis Corridor. Aerial footage over the scene has proven a number of bodily altercations between protesters.

Conservative activist Jake Lang organized an anti-Islam protest in entrance of Metropolis Corridor. Lang was met with a counterprotest arrange by the Folks’s Motion Coalition In opposition to Trump. Lang was charged with assaulting an officer, civil dysfunction and different crimes in reference to the Jan. 6 riot earlier than President Trump pardoned him.

Protesters moved from in entrance of Metropolis Corridor to a separate a part of downtown Minneapolis. Crowds blocked the road and prevented the movement of visitors.

Cops on the scene labored to clear a close-by road and threatened crowd management measures round 1:40 p.m. earlier than protesters began shifting.

The Saint Paul Federation of Educators launched a press release that the Govt Board agreed to help the Day of Motion. 

The Day of Motion is scheduled for Friday in response to Operation Metro Surge. Minnesotans are urged to not go to work, college or buy groceries.

Based on the SPFE, the three calls for for the day of motion are: 

• ICE should depart Minnesota now. 
• The officer who killed Renee Good should be held legally accountable 
• No extra federal funding for ICE within the upcoming funds 

The federation mentioned partially, 

“We discover ourselves at a second in time — but once more — that calls for we stand in our values to guard the lives of our college students and their households. Our union has by no means backed down from difficult and tough selections. The significance of all of us standing collectively in neighborhood to indicate our households and our nation that we are going to maintain the road for what is correct can’t be understated.”

Authorized knowledgeable Joe Tamburino joined WCCO on Saturday morning and weighed in on the federal investigation into Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. 

He known as the Division of Justice’s investigation a “stretch,” known as for calm and talked subsequent steps. 

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey are beneath federal investigation over an alleged conspiracy to impede federal immigration brokers, a number of sources acquainted with the matter informed CBS Information.

One of many sources, a U.S. official, mentioned the investigation stems from statements that Walz and Frey have made concerning the hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Border Patrol brokers deployed to the Minneapolis area in latest weeks.  

Subpoenas are more likely to be issued within the probe, sources acquainted with the matter informed CBS Information.  

Professor David Schultz, a First Modification regulation knowledgeable with Hamline College and College of St. Thomas College of Regulation, mentioned he would not count on the investigation to carry a lot water. 

Schultz defined that public feedback from each Walz and Frey fall beneath protected speech, noting that the bar could be extremely excessive if the federal authorities is trying to argue that both of them have verbally inspired a “actual overt act of obstruction.” 

“There isn’t any case on report, allow us to say within the fashionable historical past of the First Modification, that has taken mere criticism to be equal to obstruction of justice,” Schultz mentioned, including that it is no shock to him that President Trump is utilizing the DOJ to additional complicate life for Walz and different Minnesota officers.   

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Households impacted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests are anxious concerning the security and well-being of these left behind. 

Scarlett, A 2-year-old woman, resides in a haven in Minnesota due to a Delegation of Parental Authority kind.

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Minnesota Division of Public Security Commissioner Bob Jacobsen says his company and different state officers are conscious and ready for the deliberate protests this weekend. 

“We wish to be there to be useful. We wish to be there to maintain the peace and, once more, let’s be Minnesotans. Let’s be those that wish to do that the proper approach, to exhibit, to share your opinions, to share your values, to share your ideas, however to do it in a approach that does not incite violence, that does not carry anymore hurt,” Jacobsen mentioned in a information convention on Friday afternoon. 

That features one that might come via downtown Minneapolis, in addition to a counter protest deliberate in the identical space.