Minneapolis ICE shooting updates: Over 3,000 arrested in Minnesota, DHS says

Thousands have been arrested since Operation Metro Surge began in December.

Last Updated: January 18, 2026, 2:39 PM EST

Tensions continued over the weekend in Minneapolis, as protesters clashed in the streets with law enforcement, following the second shooting there in about a week involving a federal officer.

The Department of Homeland Security said that on Wednesday, a federal law enforcement officer shot a person, who they say had fled a traffic stop and then, along with two other people, began attacking the officer.

That incident followed the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, on Jan. 7. DHS officials said Good was allegedly attempting to run over law enforcement officers when an ICE officer fatally shot her -- a claim that local officials have disputed.

Jan 18, 2026, 2:39 PM EST

Trump says Walz, Omar opposing ICE actions in Minnesota to distract from alleged fraud

President Donald Trump on Sunday blasted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., for opposing the ongoing ICE actions there, accusing them of doing it to distract from alleged fraud in the state.

“ICE is removing some of the most violent criminals in the World from our Country, and bring [sic] them back home, where they belong. Why is Minnesota fighting this?” Trump asked in his social media post, referring to the people being detained as “murderers” and “drug dealers,” and the protesters as "thugs" that "include many highly paid professional agitators and anarchists."

“Is this really what Minnesota wants?" Trump continued. He then referenced the governor and Ilhan, accusing them, without evidence, of trying to keep “the focus of attention off the 18 Billion Dollar, Plus, FRAUD, that has taken place in the State.”

“Don’t worry, we’re on it!” he added.

President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters before departing on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House, Jan. 16, 2026, in Washington.
Evan Vucci/AP

The Department of Health and Human Services is freezing $10 billion in federal funds in five Democrat-run states over allegations of fraudulent child-care programming, an HHS official confirmed to ABC News earlier this month. The HHS official confirmed that the five states are California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York. It's unclear if this is the alleged fraud to which Trump referred in his post Sunday.

The post comes as Trump has repeatedly threatened to use the Insurrection Act to send military personnel into Minnesota, though he appeared to back off those threats in recent days, telling reporters Friday: “I don't think there's any reason right now to use it, but if I needed it, I'd use it.”

Neither Walz nor Omar immediately replied to Trump's Sunday social media post. However, Walz posted on Thursday what he called a "direct appeal to the President," saying in part, "Let's turn the temperature down. Stop this campaign of retribution. This is not who we are."

-ABC News’ Nicholas Kerr

Jan 17, 2026, 9:30 PM EST

Hundreds of active-duty soldiers on standby, 2 defense officials say

Some 1,500 active duty Army paratroopers have been put on alert for a potential deployment to Minnesota, according to two defense officials.

The soldiers are from the 11th Airborne Division, based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, one of the Army's premier infantry formations and a frontline force in the U.S. military presence in the Pacific, positioned to help deter China. The division is also the military's leading formation for Arctic warfare.

One official said the president had not made a final decision on whether to deploy two battalions. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

PHOTO: Ongoing federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis
Demonstrators stand in front of members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other law enforcement officials, near the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, during a protest more than a week after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 17, 2026.
Seth Herald/Reuters

"We are taking prudent steps to prepare active-duty Army forces," the official said. "This doesn't mean they will deploy; we are preparing options."

Meanwhile, members of the Minnesota National Guard remain on state orders under the authority of Gov. Tim Walz. It would be unusual for federalized active-duty troops and state-activated Guard forces to be deployed simultaneously and while serving under different legal frameworks. National Guard units can also be federalized and placed under the president's command.

PHOTO: Immigration Enforcement Minnesota
Federal officers stand outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building during a protest on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Minneapolis.
Yuki Iwamura/AP

President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to send in the U.S. military as tensions intensified in Minneapolis following a second shooting involving a federal officer during immigration operations. However, Trump later told reporters he didn't think there was "any reason right now to use it."

The 11th Airborne troops were recalled to base on Friday, amid the long holiday weekend, to stand by as a so-called quick reaction force, a rapid-deployment force, according to an internal notice to the unit's leadership, reviewed by ABC News.

-ABC News' Anne Flaherty and Steve Beynon

Jan 17, 2026, 3:31 PM EST

Protests turn tense in Minneapolis

Anti-Muslim and pro-ICE counter protesters clashed with anti-ICE demonstrators near Minneapolis City Hall Saturday afternoon.

Counter-protesters stand together holding signs during the "March Against Minnesota Fraud", led by an anti-Islam right-wing influencer amid allegations of fraud among the state's large Somali American community, in Minneapolis, Jan. 17, 2026.
Leah Millis/Reuters

ABC affiliate KTSP captured the scuffle that took place around 1:43 p.m. local time.

Pro-immigration protesters rally in front of Minneapolis City Hall, Jan. 17, 2026, in Minneapolis.
Yuki Iwamura/AP

It was not immediately known if there were arrests.

-ABC News' Victoria Arancio

Jan 17, 2026, 3:31 PM EST

Minnesota National Guard mobilized, staging to help law enforcement

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety said Saturday that Walz ordered the Minnesota National Guard to be mobilized and are staging to support local law enforcement.

"They are not deployed to city streets at this time, but are ready to help support public safety, including protection of life, preservation of property and supporting the rights of all who assemble peacefully," the department said.

Minnesota National Guard troops remain on standby as of late Saturday afternoon. In a statement, the Guard said that if troops were deployed, they would wear reflective vests "to help distinguish them from other agencies in similar uniforms."

Federal law enforcement officers, including agents with ICE, routinely wear multicam uniforms, the same camouflage pattern used by the Army, Air Force and Space Force.

There have been concerns in the past over the conduct of law enforcement wearing military style uniforms, and that conduct being misconstrued as service members.

In recent years, Guard units have tried to distinguish themselves from police with uniform alterations, like reflective vests and unique patches.


Walz again urged protesters to be peaceful.

"Our public safety team has the resources, coordination, and personnel on the ground to maintain public safety and respond if needed," he said in a statement.

-ABC News' Victoria Arancio

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