Video from Minneapolis shows a woman blocking a road with her car during an ICE enforcement action; federal agents broke a passenger window, pulled the driver from the vehicle and arrested her as a surrounding crowd confronted officers. Officers later used tear gas, pepper balls and pepper spray after some demonstrators struck federal vehicles. Authorities say roughly 60 people have been charged in Minnesota over five days for impeding or assaulting immigration agents, while state officials call the operations a 'federal invasion' and DHS pushes back.
Video Shows Woman Blocking Minneapolis ICE Operation With Car as Crowd Clashes With Federal Agents
People protest against the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent during a rally outside the Whipple Building on Jan. 8, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Less than a week after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot during an alleged obstruction of an ICE operation in Minneapolis, new video captured a separate incident in which a woman used her vehicle to block a Minnesota road while demonstrators gathered around federal agents.
Scene Outside Minneapolis
Footage from Tuesday shows federal agents breaking the passenger-side window of the car as they tried to stop the driver, who appeared to wedge officers between her vehicle and another car positioned across the road. Members of the crowd shouted for the driver to continue moving while officers attempted to gain control of the scene.
The driver, who has not been publicly identified, clung to the driver's side door and was pulled from the vehicle. Body-camera and scene video show officers pressing her against the car and placing handcuffs on her while bystanders shouted objections and recorded with their phones.
Escalation and Crowd Response
Minutes later, people in black hoodies and gas masks were seen striking federal vehicles. Federal officers deployed tear gas, pepper balls and pepper spray in attempts to disperse and control the crowd. Video also shows multiple people being detained in the snow.
A man receives medical treatment after being exposed to a chemical irritant during federal law enforcement operations on Jan. 7, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
A separate group of roughly 70–80 protesters gathered at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, where footage shows individuals blocking vehicles, throwing rocks and attempting to open the rear of a federal vehicle as it drove away. Authorities say another person was arrested after allegedly throwing water bottles and kicking agency vehicles.
Official Statements and Legal Response
Marcos Charles, acting executive associate director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), told reporters that about 60 people have been charged in Minnesota over the past five days with impeding or assaulting immigration agents. 'We will be arresting anybody that interferes or impedes in any of these enforcement actions,' Charles said.
Minnesota state and local officials — including leaders in Minneapolis and St. Paul — have criticized the federal enforcement surge and filed a lawsuit seeking to block ongoing immigration operations. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison described the actions as causing 'serious harm' and called them a 'federal invasion,' saying schools and businesses had been disrupted.
Department of Homeland Security officials rejected those characterizations. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused local leaders of politicizing public safety and defended federal agents' responsibility to enforce federal law.
The incident adds to tensions in Minneapolis following the earlier fatal shooting, and authorities continue to investigate the separate encounters shown in the video.
Help us improve.
