Federal agents surrounded a Mexican restaurant in Minneapolis Tuesday as they executed a warrant connected to money laundering and drugs. Officers with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office were on site during the raid.
However, law enforcement activity on the scene was interrupted as protesters gathered to denounce the police action amidst rumors that the operation was connected to immigration enforcement. In turn, officers were forced to divert resources to deal with the protesters who were shouting, throwing trash, blocking vehicles, and causing chaos.
Throughout the day, left-wing elected officials criticized the law enforcement operation and derided police for using tactical gear and armored vehicles during the raid.
Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt later said that the raid was not connected to federal immigration enforcement, but was instead “one of eight search warrants for a transnational criminal organization.” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also released a statement saying the raid was not connected to immigration, and MPD only assisted with crowd control. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said that the operation “focused on serious criminal activity, including drug trafficking and human trafficking.”
In response to the protests, Minnesota Republican Party Chairman Alex Plechash said the day’s events “once again highlight a deeply troubling pattern from the radical Left: a reflexive, hostile response to law enforcement before any facts are known.”
“A federal criminal investigation—focused on drug trafficking and financial crimes—was immediately met with organized protests, baseless accusations, and violent resistance,” said Plechash. “Officers on the ground, including those from MPD and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, faced threats and chaos not because of what they did, but because of what activists assumed.”
The chairman described the protesters’ actions as reckless and said that officers and the public were put at risk because of what happened.
“Let me be clear: we will not stand by while mobs try to intimidate law enforcement or hijack the rule of law,” said Plechash. “Minnesotans want safe communities—not political theater that turns every police action into a flashpoint for unrest.”
Plechash commended the officers on the scene for how they conducted themselves and managed the situation. Additionally, the GOP chairman called on other leaders to reject this kind of “mob reaction.”
“We stand with the rule of law. We stand with those who protect it,” added Plechash.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
