Jake Lang Says He Was Stabbed At Pro‑ICE Rally Outside Minneapolis City Hall — Claim Unverified

MINNEAPOLIS — Jake Lang, a conservative influencer who was previously pardoned in connection with charges tied to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, says he was stabbed while participating in a pro‑Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) rally outside Minneapolis City Hall on Saturday. NBC News said it could not independently verify the allegation, and Lang did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

What Happened

Lang, 30, who served time related to Jan. 6‑linked charges, was leading a small anti‑immigration, pro‑ICE demonstration when hundreds of counterprotesters converged on the area. Video and eyewitness accounts show reporters and opponents surrounding Lang and his associates and pressing them against a recessed window of the City Hall building. Counterprotesters were seen throwing water balloons and snowballs at Lang and other pro‑ICE participants as temperatures dipped toward zero degrees Fahrenheit.

Gary said he supports increased immigration operations in the area. (William Angelucci / NBC News)(William Angelucci)

“I just got stabbed...today in Minnesota,” Lang wrote in a post on X, alleging an attack by a counterprotester.

The claim of a stabbing has not been independently verified by NBC News. Police or medical confirmations were not reported in the immediate aftermath.

Context And Tensions

The confrontation took place amid heightened tensions in the Twin Cities following the recent killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer. Lang had earlier told supporters he intended to burn a Quran at the demonstration; video and eyewitness accounts indicate he did not carry out that action. His group played loud music, including the song “Ice Ice Baby,” though Lang struggled to be heard over the counterprotesters.

Sara Steck, 60, said she was braving the cold temperature to protest Lang’s demonstration because “this city is built on immigrants.” (Matt Lavietes / NBC News)(Matt Lavietes)

Anti‑ICE demonstrators shouted profanities and carried banners reading “Minnesota Nice, Not ICE” and “ICE Out Now!” One counterprotester chanted through a megaphone, “Hey, Minnesota, what do we say? F— Nazis every day.”

Voices At The Rally

A pro‑ICE participant who gave only his first name, Gary, said he attended the “March Against Minnesota Fraud” rally out of anger over fraud scandals that have drawn renewed scrutiny in the state, including probes into social‑services programs involving several people of Somali descent. Local officials had expressed concern that the gathering could lead to harassment of Somali residents.

Isabelle Brourman, a courtroom sketch artist who works in federal and immigration court, stood nearby sketching the scene. (William Angelucci / NBC News)(William Angelucci)

“I’m 100% on board with ICE in every way. If I could join them, I would,” Gary said, adding he supports agents questioning people during traffic stops if officials are acting within the law.

Across the street, opponents described their presence as an effort to stand with immigrants. Sara Steck, 60, said she braved the cold because “this city is built on immigrants” and expressed pride in Minnesota’s resilience and diversity.

Nearby, courtroom sketch artist Isabelle Brourman — who covers federal and immigration court — sketched the scene and described it as “manufactured chaos,” noting emotions were running high on both sides.

Reporting Note

This account summarizes eyewitness reports, social‑media posts and video from the scene. The alleged stabbing has not been independently confirmed by local authorities or NBC News at the time of publication.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com.