Far-Right Influencer Jake Lang Arrested After Filming Destruction Of Anti-ICE Ice Sculpture

Jake Lang, a far-right influencer and Republican Senate hopeful, was arrested after posting a video of himself destroying an anti-ICE ice sculpture on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. The incident occurred amid heightened enforcement activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and ongoing protests in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area.

What Happened

On 5 February, Lang uploaded footage to X (formerly Twitter) showing him kicking over an ice installation that had originally read 'Prosecute ICE.' After Lang’s actions the message was effectively altered to read 'Pro ICE.' Local authorities arrested the Florida resident the same day and jailed him on suspicion of criminal damage to property, a charge classified as a felony.

Who Commissioned The Sculpture

The sculpture was commissioned by veterans organization Common Defense and legally placed on the capitol steps; the group had obtained permits for the display. Jacob Thomas, communications director for Common Defense, told local outlet Fox 9 that destroying the installation was an assault on free speech and on veterans who defended the First Amendment:

“I gave eight years of my life in service to this country. For a [January 6] insurrectionist to destroy our display is an attack on the First Amendment veterans like me fought to defend.”

Context And Related Events

Lang’s arrest follows a controversial January rally he organized in Minneapolis where he said on social media he planned to “burn a Qur’an.” That event drew only a small number of supporters and was met by hundreds of counter-protesters. Photos and video from the scene showed Lang appearing injured, with bruises and scrapes on his head.

The demonstrations took place amid heightened tensions after the fatal shootings by federal immigration agents of Renee Nicole Good on 7 January and Alex Pretti on 24 January in Minneapolis — both 37-year-old U.S. citizens — which sparked further protests in the region.

Legal And Political Background

Lang was previously charged with assaulting an officer with a baseball bat, civil disorder and other offenses for his role in the 6 January 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He later received clemency from former President Donald Trump, and in March 2025 announced a bid for the U.S. Senate in the 2026 midterm elections.

Note: Authorities have cited Lang on suspicion of felony criminal damage to property. The investigation and any resulting charges remain subject to official confirmation and legal proceedings.