Biden Judge Ties ICE’s Hands In Minneapolis As Rioting Escalates

A federal judge appointed by former President Joe Biden is tying the hands of ICE agents in Minneapolis as rioting continues to escalate in the liberal city.

Agents are now barred from detaining or using tear gas or other measures against peaceful protesters who aren’t obstructing operations, according to an order issued by U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez on Friday night.

Complicating the already heated operations and riots in the Minneapolis area, Menendez says officers would have to show probable cause or reasonable suspicion that someone has committed a crime or is obstructing law enforcement operations to act. Additionally, the judge specifically noted that following officers “at an appropriate distance” is not reason for an officer to take any action.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin reacted to the order by stressing that “rioting” is not protected by the First Amendment and said DHS will continue to uphold the rule of law and protect their officers and the public.

“We remind the public that rioting is dangerous—obstructing law enforcement is a federal crime and assaulting law enforcement is a felony,” McLaughlin said in a statement. “Rioters and terrorists have assaulted law enforcement, launched fireworks at them, slashed the tires of their vehicles, and vandalized federal property. Others have chosen to ignore commands and have attempted to impede law enforcement operations and used their vehicles as weapons against our officers.”

“Despite these grave threats and dangerous situations, our law enforcement has followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to protect themselves, the public, and federal property,” she added.

As highlighted by The Daily Wire, ICE operations in the liberal city have become subject to heated rioting. Fox News National Correspondent Alexis McAdams, for example, said she’s observed rioters behaving more like trained operators than spontaneous protesters.

“This isn’t a protest — it’s an operation. Anti-ICE activists in Minneapolis rapidly track, doxx, and harass anyone they believe is tied to ICE,” she said, adding, “They take pics of you, your license plate, & upload to their ‘data base.'”

This isn’t a protest — it’s an operation. Anti-ICE activists in Minneapolis rapidly track, doxx, and harass anyone they believe is tied to ICE.

They take pics of you, your license plate, & upload to their “data base”.

Follow you, harass you, & try to stop active… pic.twitter.com/s9m54zSIrW

— Alexis McAdams (@AlexisMcAdamsTV) January 16, 2026

Earlier this month, an ICE agent fatally shot a protester named Renee Good after she hit him with her vehicle during operations. DHS says the officer suffered internal bleeding from the incident and acted in self-defense, likely saving other agents, too.

Related: LIVE UPDATES: DOJ To Investigate Walz, Minneapolis Mayor, For Impeding ICE Agents