Right-wing influencer Jake Lang was chased away by counterdemonstrators while leading a small pro-ICE rally in Minneapolis on Saturday, January 17, 2026, amid rising tensions over federal immigration enforcement in the city. The event, which saw Lang outnumbered by hundreds of protesters, underscores the deep political divisions and ongoing conflicts surrounding immigration policy in the United States.
Lang organized the “March Against Minnesota Fraud,” an anti-Islam, anti-Somali, and pro-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstration, announcing on social media his intention to burn a Quran on the steps of City Hall. However, only a small group of supporters attended, while a much larger crowd of counterprotesters converged at the site. The counterdemonstrators drowned out Lang’s attempts to speak, chased his group away, and forced at least one person to remove a shirt deemed offensive. During the altercation, snowballs and water balloons were thrown, adding to the chaotic scene.
As Lang left the area, he appeared to have bruises and scrapes on his head, and he later claimed on social media that he had been stabbed and “lynched by an anti-white mob.” The Minneapolis Police Department stated that no official reports of assault were filed, and they encouraged anyone with information to come forward. Police also denied Lang’s allegation that Mayor Jacob Frey told them to stand down, emphasizing that there was no direct communication with Lang or arrangements for a police escort.
The rally took place against the backdrop of intensified ICE operations in Minneapolis, which have included aggressive tactics such as home raids and the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three and U.S. citizen, earlier in January. Good’s death has sparked daily protests against ICE, with demonstrators condemning the use of masked federal officers and calling for an end to the crackdown. The operation has brought more than 2,000 federal officers to the Twin Cities, leading to widespread fear and anger in the community.
Lang is a prominent figure in far-right circles, having been charged with assaulting a police officer with a baseball bat and other crimes related to the January 6 Capitol attack. He was granted clemency by President Donald Trump at the start of his second term and has since announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Florida. His involvement in the Minneapolis rally highlights the ongoing influence of January 6 defendants in political activism and their alignment with Trump’s immigration policies.
In response to the escalating tensions, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, mobilized the state’s National Guard to support law enforcement, though they were staged and not yet deployed. Additionally, the Pentagon has ordered approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers from Alaska to prepare for potential deployment to Minnesota, indicating the federal government’s readiness to intervene. These moves have raised concerns about the militarization of domestic law enforcement and the potential for further violence.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey sharply criticized the federal presence, telling CNN that he never thought “we would be invaded by our own government.” He also argued that deploying active-duty soldiers would be unconstitutional. Meanwhile, protesters like Luke Rimington expressed defiance, stating, “We’re out here to show Nazis and ICE and DHS and [Trump’s Make America great again movement] you are not welcome in Minneapolis.”
The incident reflects broader national debates over immigration, free speech, and political extremism. As ICE continues its operations and far-right activists like Lang mobilize, cities like Minneapolis face challenges in balancing public safety with the rights to assemble and protest. The outcome of this confrontation may influence future demonstrations and policy responses, with implications for the 2026 elections and beyond.
