MINNEAPOLIS — A federal judge issued a temporary order on Friday, Jan. 16, to restrict the actions of federal agents in Minnesota. U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez issued the ruling in response to a lawsuit from activists. They claim their legal rights were violated during a federal immigration program called "Operation Metro Surge."
The ruling bans agents from using pepper spray or other crowd-control tools against peaceful protesters. It specifically protects those who are participating in demonstrations that do not block traffic or buildings.
Vehicle Stops and Conduct
Judge Menendez also barred federal agents from pulling over vehicles unless there is a clear reason to believe the people inside are interfering with their work. Specifically, she clarified that agents cannot stop a car simply because a driver is following them from a safe distance.
In response to the ruling, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it is taking steps to follow the order. Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary at the DHS, said agents are trained to use only the amount of force needed to protect themselves, the public, and federal property.
Recent Shootings and Lawsuits
The court's decision follows two shootings involving federal agents this month. Earlier this week, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed a 37-year-old woman in her car in Minneapolis. A few days later, another federal agent shot and wounded a suspect from Venezuela. Authorities say the suspect was violently resisting arrest.
The judge’s ruling comes as the Department of Justice reportedly investigates Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey. According to CNN, the DOJ is looking into whether the leaders tried to stop federal agents from doing their jobs. Both Democratic leaders have been vocal critics of the federal operation. On Jan. 12, the State of Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul filed a lawsuit to end the program, which they described in court filings as a "federal invasion."
Civil Rights Concerns
On Friday, Democratic members of Congress held a special hearing at the state capitol to review reports of civil rights abuses. Residents and lawmakers reported that agents were stopping and holding people based on their race or background. A DHS spokesperson denied these claims, stating that federal agents do not target individuals based on their race.
That same day, tension spread to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis. Federal officers in tactical gear used force to move protesters away from the building. Agents reportedly arrested at least one person during the encounter.
Amid these ongoing tensions, President Trump said on Friday that he has no plans to use the Insurrection Act to send troops to Minnesota. He stated that he sees no reason to use the law, which allows the president to use the military for domestic law enforcement.
