Minnesota Leaders Face Sharp Criticism for Failing to De-escalate Protests After Border Patrol Shooting

Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., sharply criticized Minnesota political leaders on Saturday for their response to protests sparked by a federal law enforcement shooting in Minneapolis. Speaking on The Count, Harris stated that state and city officials have failed to “calm this protest down.”

Harris described the unrest as “tragedy on top of tragedy” and accused elected officials of having “inflamed the kind of activity that we’re seeing take place on the streets there in Minnesota.”

The comments follow heightened tensions in Minneapolis after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot a 37-year-old man during an operation in the Whittier neighborhood on Saturday, sparking large protests across the city. Federal officials claim the man was armed and resisted disarmament, but local accounts and bystander video have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the encounter.

Harris pointed to what he said were dramatic spikes in violence against immigration agents, claiming a “1,300% increase in attacks on ICE agents,” more than “3,000% increase in attacks with automobiles” and over an “8,000% increase in terms of death threats.” He argued that law enforcement officers should not be subjected to such violence, attributing much of the unrest to leadership in Minnesota rather than federal agencies.

“It’s tragic that any individual would somehow confront police officers with a weapon,” Harris said. “Because let’s face it, when you confront police officers with a weapon, you have started a gunfight and somebody is going to lose.” He added that it was “shame on them” for failing to step in and de-escalate the situation.

The Minneapolis incident marks the second major shooting involving federal immigration agents in the city this month. Earlier in January, a 37-year-old woman, Renee Good, was killed by an ICE agent during a separate enforcement action, triggering protests and political backlash.

Protests have been large and at times confrontational, with demonstrators denouncing the federal presence and tactics. Minnesota’s governor and city leaders have condemned the shootings and called for investigations while urging protesters to exercise their First Amendment rights without resorting to violence.