Anti-ICE rioters in Minneapolis violently assaulted federal officers enforcing immigration law, with one agitator biting off a Homeland Security Investigations officer’s finger in a savage attack that exemplifies the lawless chaos erupting in Democrat-run cities resisting President Trump’s efforts to remove dangerous criminal aliens.
Story Snapshot
- A protester bit off an HSI officer’s finger during violent clashes involving over 200 rioters obstructing a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis targeting a violent assault suspect.
- The assault occurred after Border Patrol agents fatally shot Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an armed U.S. citizen who violently resisted officers attempting to disarm him during the operation.
- DHS officials shared graphic images of the severed finger on social media, with President Trump reposting the photo as Minnesota’s governor mobilized the National Guard.
- Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey demanded federal withdrawal and blamed Trump administration policies, while federal officials cited local rhetoric for endangering law enforcement.
Federal Officers Attacked During Immigration Enforcement Operation
Department of Homeland Security agents conducting a targeted operation against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault faced a coordinated attack from approximately 200 anti-ICE protesters in South Minneapolis Saturday morning. During the violent confrontation, one agitator bit off the finger of a Homeland Security Investigations officer, causing permanent disfigurement. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin shared a graphic photo of the severed finger on social media, writing that rioters had attacked officers and the HSI agent would lose his finger. President Trump amplified the message by reposting the image on Truth Social, highlighting the dangers federal agents face enforcing immigration law in sanctuary jurisdictions.
Armed Citizen’s Fatal Confrontation Sparked Riot
The chaos erupted after Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and lawful gun owner who approached the federal operation just after 9 a.m. armed with a 9mm handgun and two magazines. According to DHS officials, Pretti violently resisted when agents attempted to disarm him, creating a situation where officers feared for their lives. Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino stated the armed individual wanted to inflict “maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.” Video footage shows agents wrestling with Pretti, striking him with a weapon, before multiple shots were fired. The incident represents the second death of a U.S. citizen during ICE operations in Minneapolis within three weeks, following the death of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good.
Lefty Protestor Bites Off Federal Officer's Finger https://t.co/I3BOFl3FZI
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 25, 2026
State and Local Officials Demand Federal Withdrawal
Governor Tim Walz mobilized additional National Guard troops to secure the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building and assist state and local agencies while declaring the federal government cannot be trusted to investigate the shooting. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called on President Trump to “act like a leader” and end federal immigration operations in the city, questioning how many more residents must die. The mayor characterized the incident as federal agents “pummeling” and shooting a Minneapolis resident. However, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem defended the operations, confirming the finger was “bitten off” amid “rampant assault” and emphasizing that armed intervention does not constitute peaceful protest. Representative Tom Emmer countered local criticism by asserting that inflammatory rhetoric from Minneapolis officials endangers federal law enforcement personnel.
Escalating Tensions Threaten Public Safety and Rule of Law
The violent confrontation underscores the dangerous consequences when local governments openly defy federal immigration enforcement. Over 100 federal agents sealed off streets and deployed tear gas to control the mob, while protesters threw objects at officers and obstructed lawful operations. Authorities took two suspects into custody, though the identity of the finger-biting assailant remains unclear. Protest organizers had called a general strike Friday urging residents to abstain from work, school, and shopping to oppose federal presence. This breakdown of order reflects what happens when sanctuary city policies embolden criminals and agitators to violently attack law enforcement officers simply doing their duty. The Trump administration’s commitment to removing dangerous illegal aliens serves the constitutional mandate to protect American citizens, yet Democrat officials prioritize political posturing over public safety and the rule of law.
The Minneapolis incident reveals the stark divide between those who support constitutional law enforcement and leftist officials who enable chaos in their jurisdictions. Federal agents targeting a violent criminal faced armed resistance from a U.S. citizen and savage mob violence that left one officer permanently maimed. While tragic outcomes occurred, officers acted in self-defense against credible threats while executing lawful duties. The continued resistance from Minnesota’s Democratic leadership demonstrates how blue state obstruction of federal immigration policy creates dangerous flashpoints where officers must navigate hostile environments to uphold the law. As investigations proceed under state oversight demanded by Governor Walz, the nation watches whether accountability will extend to those whose rhetoric and policies encouraged such brazen attacks on federal personnel.
Sources:
Anti-ICE agitator allegedly bites off federal officer’s finger during Minneapolis attack – Fox News
Federal agents fatally shoot another Minneapolis resident – CBS News
