Pardoned Jan. 6 defendant Jake Lang's attempts to hold a rally on Jan. 17 in support of federal immigration enforcement efforts in Minneapolis were targeted by hundreds of counter protesters.
Lang had hosted a demonstration in support of Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) immigration enforcement. He had announced on social media intentions to "burn a Quran" on the steps of City Hall in Minneapolis, leading to a standoff between his supporters and protesters who had gathered around the scene, yelling over Lang's attempts to speak and chasing away a pro-ICE group.
After leaving the scene, Lang's head showed bleeding, although the extent of his injuries was unclear. On X he wrote that he had been stabbed but the weapon was stopped by his bullet proof vest.
The governor's office has mobilized the state National Guard to assist law enforcement.
The Minnesota National Guard said in a statement that Gov. Tim Walz had ordered its mobilization to assist the Minnesota State Patrol in "providing traffic support to protect life, preserve property, and support the rights of all Minnesotans to assemble peacefully."
Ever since the Department of Homeland Security surged its immigration enforcement in Minnesota's Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul—deploying more than 2,000 federal officers throughout—protesters have gathered daily, leading to clashes.
Lang previously faced 11 charges in relation to the events at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, including for allegedly assaulting an officer with a baseball bat, engaging in physical violence, and civil disorder.
Lang, who defended himself against the charges, took his challenge of a charge of obstruction of justice, all the way to the Supreme Court. He had been awaiting trial in jail for nearly four years when President Donald Trump granted him clemency last year.
He recently announced his candidacy for Florida's U.S. Senate election.
Unrest increased in Minneapolis after a federal agent fatally shot protester Renee Good as she hit him with her car during a confrontation on Jan. 7.
A federal judge ruled on Jan. 16 that immigration enforcement officers cannot detain or use tear gas against people who are protesting peacefully and not obstructing authorities, including during ICE’s efforts in Minnesota.
Two days prior, a federal agent shot a man in the leg after he and several others attacked the officer with a shovel and broom handle, according to the Department of Homeland Security, which called the incident “an attempted murder of federal law enforcement.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem chastised the governor and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Jan. 15 for what she called an “ambush” on a federal officer the day before. Walz and other Democrats have criticized ICE for agents' use of force while conducting immigration operations in Minnesota and other states.