CEO Warns 'Shadowy Interests' Are Funding Anti‑ICE Mobs in Minnesota, Fueling Dangerous Escalation

Violent clashes targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota appear to be driven in part by outside actors exploiting unrest rather than by spontaneous local protest, Adam Swart, CEO of Crowds on Demand, told Fox News Digital. Swart warned that some of the most aggressive participants may be financed by what he called "shadowy interests" that benefit from confrontation and chaos.

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.(Reuters)

Days of unrest around ICE enforcement operations in and around the Twin Cities have included blocked federal vehicles, personal threats against agents, doxxing campaigns against staff and their families, and clashes that reportedly involved tear gas and flashbangs near a Minneapolis hotel.

A man, center left, next to a Minneapolis police officer grabs a protester in the doorway during a noise demonstration protest in response to federal immigration enforcement operations in the city Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Minneapolis.

Escalation Cycle

Swart described a self-perpetuating cycle of escalation: when activists use threats, doxxing, or physical obstruction, agents may respond more forcefully; those tougher responses then fuel further hostility and more aggressive actions by demonstrators.

Demonstrators protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in St. Paul, Minn., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026.

"I believe many of the most aggressive and unlawful actors targeting ICE are not organic protesters, but are being financed by shadowy interests that benefit from chaos and confrontation," Swart said.

Company Stance And Warnings

Swart said Crowds on Demand declined to participate in the Minneapolis demonstrations, calling the events "illegal chaos" and saying his firm "would not touch the Minneapolis protests with a 10-foot pole." He emphasized that blocking roadways, obstructing federal agents, and threatening authorities are unlawful tactics that risk backfiring by prompting a stronger enforcement response rather than producing reform.

Policy Suggestions And Call For De‑Escalation

Swart urged President Donald Trump to adopt a temporary "cease-fire posture" in Minnesota — not a retreat from immigration enforcement but a tactical pause to de-escalate tensions and reduce risk to agents, protesters, and bystanders. He also proposed several policy changes intended to narrow flashpoints, including:

• Prioritizing deportation for violent or criminal noncitizens;
• Protecting noncriminal undocumented immigrants who report crimes from deportation;
• Clarifying sanctuary city policies to reduce confusion about local cooperation with federal authorities;
• Requiring ICE to operate in clearly marked uniforms and vehicles; and
• Limiting ICE's role in crowd-control operations.

While Swart condemned protesters who interfere with federal operations, he acknowledged there have been instances in which ICE operations were accused of using disproportionate force. He warned that continued escalation could turn Minnesota into a sustained flashpoint.

The White House has shifted its response: border enforcement official Tom Homan was deployed to Minnesota to oversee enforcement operations and assess the unrest.