Category: Protesters

Trump Demands Jail for Noem Critics, Attacks Protest ‘Scam’

President Donald Trump defended Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Friday via Truth Social, attacking protesters and Democrats as “Radical Left Lunatics” and “Insurrectionists” while demanding they be imprisoned. Trump claimed Noem is being targeted “because she is a woman” and credited her with fixing “the Border disaster” he inherited, asserting the murder rate reached a 125-year low under his administration.

Trump characterized protests in Minnesota and major cities as a “SCAM” designed to obscure what he labeled “CRIMINAL ACTS of theft and insurrection” by Democrats. He accused Democrats of “stealing Billions of Dollars from Minnesota, and other Cities and States” and instructed Republicans not to be “pushed around” by what he termed aggressive protest manipulation.

The president reiterated his campaign platform of “Strong Borders, and Law and Order” and separately praised Border Czar Tom Homan, whom Trump appointed this week to oversee the immigration enforcement crackdown in Minnesota. The operation has deployed approximately 2,100 federal agents to the Minneapolis area in what officials characterize as the largest immigration enforcement operation ever conducted.

Trump’s remarks come amid DOJ investigations into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over allegations they conspired to impede Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations through public statements. Trump’s invocation of imprisonment for political opponents and protesters aligns with his broader pattern of weaponizing federal authority against critics.

The late-night posts demonstrate Trump’s willingness to criminalize dissent and attribute federal policy failures to Democratic sabotage while absolving his administration of responsibility for enforcement outcomes.

(Source: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-ice-protest/)

FBI Agent Resigns as DOJ Blocks Renee Good Shooting Probe

FBI supervisor Tracee Mergen resigned from the Minneapolis field office after Washington leadership pressured her to abandon a civil rights investigation into ICE officer Jonathan Ross, who fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good on January 7. Such inquiries are standard procedure following officer-involved shootings. The Trump administration weaponized the Justice Department by instead investigating Good and her partner for alleged ties to left-wing protest groups, prompting at least six senior prosecutors in the Minneapolis U.S. attorney’s office to resign in protest.

Senior Justice Department officials have stated there are no plans to investigate whether Ross used excessive force when he fired multiple shots at the unarmed mother sitting in her vehicle. Federal investigators refused to cooperate with state and local Minnesota prosecutors seeking to open their own inquiry into the shooting. The New York Times video analysis found no evidence supporting Trump administration officials’ claims that Good attempted to ram Ross with her Honda Pilot, yet they publicly labeled her a “domestic terrorist.”

The Justice Department simultaneously opened investigations into Minnesota Democratic elected officials, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, scrutinizing whether they conspired to obstruct Trump’s immigration enforcement through public statements. Subpoenas were issued this week to their offices and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her’s office as part of this effort.

The department prosecuted three protesters—Nekima Levy-Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly—charging them with conspiracy for interrupting a church service to protest a pastor’s apparent ICE work, alleging they “intimidated, harassed, oppressed and terrorized the parishioners.” Federal judges denied prosecutors’ requests to detain the three while awaiting trial.

These actions reflect a coordinated strategy by the Trump administration’s Justice Department to shield federal immigration enforcement from oversight, punish Democratic critics of ICE operations, and criminalize protest activity opposing deportation policies, while Trump falsely claimed protesters were paid agitators.

(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/us/fbi-agent-ice-shooting-renee-good.html)

Federal Prosecutors Subpoena Minnesota Democrats on Immigration

Federal prosecutors issued subpoenas on Tuesday to at least five Minnesota Democratic officials, including Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, State Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. The subpoenas demanded documents related to their policies on immigration enforcement and represent an expansion of the Department of Justice investigation into their response to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations in the state.

The investigation centers on whether elected officials in Minnesota conspired to impede federal immigration agents who have been deployed to the state since last month. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche accused Frey and Walz of “encouraging violence against law enforcement” and referred to their actions as “terrorism,” though there is no evidence either man incited violence or engaged in terrorist activity. The subpoenas do not cite a specific criminal statute, but prosecutors are examining the officials’ public statements and conduct regarding the federal crackdown.

The investigation follows the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good, an unarmed mother of three, by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis this month. The shooting triggered sustained protests against federal agents in the city, prompting Frey to publicly demand that agents leave and Walz to criticize their conduct. The Justice Department has vowed to arrest anyone impeding the agents’ mission.

The inquiry into the Minnesota officials’ speech and conduct targeting federal immigration enforcement directly examines political expression protected by the First Amendment. The investigation’s expansion to include state and county prosecutors suggests the Trump administration intends to use federal law enforcement to punish Democratic officials for criticizing immigration operations. The Department of Justice has previously initiated investigations into Walz and Frey regarding allegations they conspired to impede Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations through public statements.

(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/us/politics/subpoena-minnesota-democrats-immigration.html)

Trump Falsely Claims Protest Witness Was Paid Agitator

At a White House press conference on Tuesday, President Trump made an unsubstantiated claim that a woman captured on video shouting “Shame! Shame!” after ICE officer Jonathan Ross fatally shot Minneapolis resident Renee Good on January 7 was a “paid agitator” or “professional agitator.” Trump offered no evidence for the accusation, instead characterizing the woman’s vocal protest as unnaturally loud and professional in manner, concluding she must be a paid operative rather than a genuine bystander expressing outrage at the killing.

During the same briefing, Trump defended the ICE immigration crackdown in Minnesota by displaying printouts labeled “MINNESOTA WORST OF WORST,” claiming they documented immigrants with criminal records that agents had detained. He repeatedly asserted that ICE agents are “patriots” seeking only to remove dangerous individuals from the country, framing opposition to the operation as the work of “paid agitators and insurrectionists” rather than concerned residents reacting to enforcement actions in their community.

Trump’s accusation contradicts documented evidence and patterns of protest. Multiple recorded incidents over the past year show genuine community members expressing opposition to immigration raids without compensation, according to reporting that examined his earlier repetition of the same baseless claim. The president provided no documentation, financial records, or identifying information linking the protesting woman to any organization or payment scheme.

The video of Good’s shooting was recorded by multiple bystanders, including by Ross himself, and shows the fatal incident occurred in public view on a Minneapolis street. The woman shouting “Shame!” is visible in at least one cell phone recording, though it remains unclear from available footage whether she is the person recording or a separate bystander. Trump acknowledged feeling “terribly” about Good’s death while simultaneously dismissing vocal responses to it as inauthentic and orchestrated.

Trump’s dismissal of protester motivation follows a pattern of administration officials defending the shooting, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Vice President JD Vance both characterizing the fatal shooting as justified. By labeling all opposition as paid and inauthentic, the administration avoids addressing the substantive objections residents have raised to the ICE enforcement campaign in Minnesota.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump/trump-wildly-claims-bystander-who-yelled-shame-after-renee-good-shooting-was-a-paid-agitator/)

Trump Appeals Judge’s Ban on ICE Retaliation Against Protesters

President Trump’s administration appealed a federal court order issued by U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez that restricts Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from retaliating against peaceful protesters in Minneapolis. The order prohibits federal agents from arresting protesters engaged in peaceful demonstration, using crowd-dispersal weapons like pepper spray, or detaining drivers without reasonable suspicion of obstruction. The appeal was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, with the administration seeking relief from the Eighth Circuit, a panel dominated by Republican-appointed judges.

Judge Menendez, a Biden appointee, issued the protective order following escalating protests over ICE operations in the city and multiple incidents in which federal agents killed or seriously injured people. The ruling specifically addressed the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, who was shot by a federal agent while attempting to drive around agents attempting to box in her vehicle. The order explicitly bars agents from retaliating against persons observing or documenting federal operations designated “Operation Metro Surge.”

Trump responded to the court order with a False statement on Truth Social, praising Menendez as a “highly respected judge” while simultaneously misrepresenting her ruling by claiming she had “declined to block ICE operations.” In reality, the judge imposed significant restrictions on federal agent conduct, directly contradicting Trump’s characterization. This occurred one day after Trump claimed Menendez had delayed her decision to allow the Justice Department time to respond, framing her judicial independence as a favor to his administration.

The appeal reflects the Trump administration’s resistance to judicial oversight of federal law enforcement tactics during immigration enforcement operations. By appealing to the Eighth Circuit, Trump’s Justice Department seeks to overturn protections for peaceful protesters that federal courts determined were necessary following documented harm. The move demonstrates the administration’s pattern of challenging state and local criticism of ICE operations, including investigating state officials who have publicly opposed the deployment.

(Source: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-2674908994/)

Leavitt Defends ICE Shooting, Dismisses Renee Good Protesters

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed Minneapolis protesters demonstrating against the fatal shooting of 37-year-old poet and mother Renee Good by ICE officer Jonathan Ross, questioning their grievances during a Monday press gaggle. Leavitt framed the killing as justified self-defense, claiming Good rammed Ross with her vehicle during what she characterized as an organized effort to impede law enforcement operations. Vice President JD Vance has falsely claimed the officer is protected by absolute immunity, a legal assertion that contradicts established law.

Leavitt attacked protesters by asserting they opposed ICE’s removal of individuals she described as “heinous murderers and rapists and criminals,” framing opposition to the agency as protection of “illegal alien pedophiles” rather than engagement with the specific circumstances of Good’s death. She declared ICE performs a critical national security function and pledged the administration’s full support for “the brave men and women of ice, including the officer in Minneapolis.” This rhetorical strategy conflated general immigration enforcement with the narrow question of whether Ross’s use of lethal force was proportional and lawful.

Protesters have explicitly demanded ICE’s removal from their communities, justice for Good, and state involvement in the shooting investigation—specific demands grounded in accountability for the killing itself. President Trump has blocked Minnesota state investigators from the probe, citing the state’s purportedly “corrupt” government, centralizing control over the investigation in federal hands where the Trump administration exercises direct authority over the Department of Justice.

Video evidence of the incident has been widely described as a “Rorschach Test” reflecting observers’ preexisting political positions rather than settling disputed facts about whether Good’s actions constituted a lethal threat requiring deadly force in response. Leavitt’s dismissal of protesters’ concerns sidestepped the substantive questions surrounding the shooting itself, instead reframing the event within an immigration enforcement narrative designed to delegitimize dissent.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/protesting-what-exactly-karoline-leavitt-rages-at-protesters-angry-over-renee-good-shooting/)

Trump Dismisses MTG’s Danger Amid Threats, Scorns Her Critique

Donald Trump has dismissed concerns about the safety of Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who reported a pipe bomb threat to her office following his recent disparaging remarks. As the congresswoman has increasingly criticized Trump, particularly regarding the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s files, he has reacted with scorn rather than support, labeling her “Marjorie Traitor Greene.” This dismissal raises alarming questions about Trump’s responsibility in inciting threats against public figures through incendiary language.

In response to an inquiry about Greene’s safety, Trump displayed blatant indifference, questioning who she was and asserting that he did not believe anyone cared about her well-being. His cavalier comments come after Greene accused him of effectively putting her life at risk by encouraging radical elements, suggesting that Trump’s rhetoric is a dangerous signal to extremists. Greene’s post on X illustrates her fears, stating Trump’s attacks serve as a “dog whistle” to incite violence against her and her family.

This situation underscores Trump’s pattern of turning against allies who voice dissent. Greene’s previous allegiance to Trump has deteriorated significantly, prompting her to criticize him publicly, which has sparked Trump’s ire, evident in his derisive social media posts. He has mockingly referred to her with a twisted version of her name and branded her a “Fake politician,” further contributing to her isolation within the party.

Greene’s assertion of receiving threats corroborates a troubling trend fueled by Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric, which has historically undermined the safety of those whom he targets. The consequence of his words and actions cannot be overlooked, as they may embolden radical elements within his supporter base. Greene’s claim of being threatened highlights the severe risks that come with entrenching political divisions and inciting extreme sentiments among supporters.

The ongoing conflict between Trump and Greene reflects a broader concern in the American political landscape where dissent is met with hostility rather than introspection. As Trump continues to cling to authoritarian tactics that threaten to undermine political discourse, accountability for inciting violence remains crucial in ensuring public safety and upholding democratic principles.

Fox News and the Misleading Story of Portland’s ICE Protests — ProPublica

Fox News aired misleading coverage of Portland ICE protests in early September 2025, featuring footage from 2020 without proper labeling and presenting a distorted picture of events that directly influenced President Trump's decision to deploy National Guard troops to the city. ProPublica's review of over 700 social media videos and Fox News broadcasts found the network repeatedly mislabeled 2020 footage as 2025, including scenes from the federal courthouse and a Navy veteran being pepper-sprayed—events occurring five years earlier during George Floyd protests.

On September 4, Fox News aired a segment Trump watched that evening or the night before, prompting his statement that Portland was "like living in hell" and "like World War II." The segment spliced 2020 images into coverage of current ICE facility protests, with on-screen text and chyrons labeling protesters as "violent demonstrators," "rioters," and "anti-ICE Portland rioters." Fox added an editor's note acknowledging the 2020 footage at least two weeks after broadcast, but the damage was already done—Trump announced September 27 he would deploy troops with "Full Force, if necessary."

Investigation revealed that most clashes between protesters and police in the three months before the September 4 broadcast resulted in no criminal charges or arrests alleging protester violence. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller's aide Anthony Salisbury exchanged messages about military deployment, and Trump threatened Oregon Governor Tina Kotek with federal troop deployment unless she "got her state in order," claiming ICE facilities were "under siege" by "Antifa and other domestic terrorists."

Fox News also recycled footage of a neighbor confronting protesters, first airing it on September 5 as occurring on September 2, then again on September 6 claiming it happened September 3. The video was actually filmed and posted online June 29—nearly three months earlier. Federal authorities announced no arrests on either September night the network claimed the incident occurred, and only 20 people remained near the ICE facility on September 3, with just 4 on the sidewalk, according to Portland police records.

After Trump's September 28 Guard deployment order, Fox News continued the pattern, broadcasting a clip of Governor Kotek stating troops were unnecessary followed immediately by footage of protesters clashing with police—footage labeled as from Illinois, not Oregon. Portland Police Chief Bob Day stated at a September 29 press conference that the city had been inaccurately portrayed and that actual events did not align with the national narrative, describing the coverage as frustrating.

(Source: https://www.propublica.org/article/portland-protests-national-guard-fox-news-coverage)

Trump Posts AI Video Depicting Feces Dropping on Protestors

On October 19, 2025, President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video on his Truth Social account that portrayed him, adorned with a crown, in a fighter jet labeled “King Trump,” dropping what appeared to be feces on protesters. This video, which lasts 19 seconds, was released following nationwide “No Kings” rallies that protested against Trump and his administration.

The clip features left-wing influencer Harry Sisson among the protesters gathered in a setting resembling Times Square. In response to the video, Sisson tweeted asking reporters to pose the question of why Trump posted such content. Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Sisson’s request and said he would ask Trump on his behalf.

This recent video is part of a series of AI-produced content Trump has shared, particularly targeting his critics. A review by NBC News indicated that Trump has been active in posting these types of videos on his social media platform over the past months, with a noticeable frequency in August and September. Many of these videos originate from other accounts before being promoted by Trump.

The video utilizes the track “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins, who later requested that his music be removed from the video, condemning its use in a context designed to provoke division among the American public. Loggins expressed a desire for unity among Americans, emphasizing shared values over divisive narratives.

According to organizers of the “No Kings” protests, approximately 7 million people attended over 2,700 rallies across the U.S., marking a significant increase in participation compared to previous protests held in June. During a subsequent interview, Trump dismissed any claims that he is behaving as a monarch, asserting that he does not identify with the title.

Trump Demands RICO Charges Against Protesters For Free Palestine Shout

Donald Trump recently called for federal action against protesters who vocalized their opposition during a dinner in Washington, D.C. The incident, which involved protesters shouting “Free Palestine,” led Trump to suggest that Attorney General Pam Bondi investigate the possibility of charging these individuals under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

During a news conference, Trump characterized the protesters as “paid agitators” and claimed their actions were subversive. He expressed frustration that his administration’s achievements, especially regarding Middle East peace efforts, were being disrupted by those he labeled as disruptive forces. “She started screaming,” Trump stated, emphasizing his disdain for what he perceived as unjustified public outbursts.

The RICO Act, originally designed to combat organized crime, has become Trump’s proposed tool to silence dissent and retaliate against vocal opposition to his policies. His comments underscore a troubling trend where political dissent is framed as criminal behavior, further eroding the principles of free speech and democratic discourse in America.

Critics argue that such rhetoric not only misuses legal frameworks but also reflects an authoritarian impulse to stifle opposing voices. By labeling peaceful protesters as criminal elements, Trump continues to push a narrative that legitimizes harassment and punishment of dissenters under the guise of maintaining order and security.

As Trump navigates a politically charged environment, his call for RICO charges reveals a dangerous willingness to employ government resources against citizens exercising their right to protest. This act reinforces the perception that Trump is not only out of touch with the realities faced by marginalized communities but also actively seeks to weaken the foundations of democratic engagement in America.

(h/t: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-2673996811/)

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