Far-Right Influencer Driven From Minneapolis Rally After Clash With Counterprotesters

Right-wing influencer Jake Lang was driven away by counterprotesters while leading a small rally near Minneapolis City Hall, an event that unfolded amid heightened tensions following recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the Twin Cities.

Lang, who received clemency from President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, events in Washington, D.C., faces charges that include assaulting an officer with a baseball bat and civil disorder. He is also a candidate for the U.S. Senate in Florida.

What Happened

Lang organized Saturday’s demonstration under the name "March Against Minnesota Fraud," which he framed as an anti-Somali, anti-Islam event. He posted on social media beforehand that he intended to "burn a Quran" on the steps of City Hall; local affiliate KARE reported that no Quran burning occurred.

The Associated Press reported Lang appeared to have bruises and scrapes on his head as he left the scene. An image reposted by Lang appears to show a cut at the back of his head, and in a separate social post he claimed he had been stabbed. Lang wrote on social media: "I was just literally lynched by an anti white mob of liberals & illegal immigrants." CNN has not independently verified those injury claims.

Protesters confront right-wing influencer Jake Lang at a rally near City Hall on Saturday in Minneapolis. - Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

Police Response

The Minneapolis Police Department told CNN no official reports alleging assault or injury were filed after the incident, though it said it was aware of social media posts about the confrontation. MPD encouraged anyone who experienced assaultive behavior to report it and provide details such as date, time, location, descriptions of suspects, and the nature of injuries.

MPD also called Lang’s claim that Mayor Jacob Frey ordered officers to "stand down" in this incident "untrue," stating there was no direct communication or arranged police escort for Lang. According to the department and local reporting, officers issued a dispersal order; no arrests were reported and the crowd ultimately dispersed.

Context

The demonstration took place as Minneapolis remains on edge following the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, by an ICE agent earlier this month. Good’s death has sparked protests and renewed scrutiny of ICE tactics nationwide.

As tensions rose, the Pentagon ordered roughly 1,500 active-duty soldiers in Alaska to prepare for possible deployment to Minnesota, according to a Trump administration source, and state officials have mobilized the National Guard.

CNN has reached out to Lang for comment. Reporting on scene numbers indicated roughly 100 people were gathered near City Hall when Lang arrived; local coverage said his group was outnumbered by counterdemonstrators.

Note: This account aggregates reporting from CNN, The Associated Press and local affiliate KARE and includes claims posted to social media that have not all been independently verified.