US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced on 11/1 that hundreds of additional federal agents would be deployed to Minneapolis. The deployment aims to ensure the safety of agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol as they carry out their duties. Noem warned that protesters engaging in "violent acts against law enforcement, obstructing our operations" would be committing a crime and held legally accountable for their actions.

The federal government's action comes amid ongoing protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and other cities nationwide. These demonstrations erupted after ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot driver Renee Good on 7/1.

Calls for protests were amplified by the "No Kings" movement, a network of leftist organizations known for organizing nationwide marches against President Donald Trump since last year. Organizers stated that over 1,000 protests were planned across the US to oppose ICE's immigration enforcement operations.

US Border Patrol agents detain a protester in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 11/1. *AFP*

Secretary Noem reiterated her view that Good's actions constituted "domestic terrorism" and that the ICE agent fired in self-defense. When questioned by the media about how such definitive statements could be made while the investigation had just begun, Noem maintained that she and the administration were correct. She rhetorically asked, "Why should we argue with a president who is working to protect the safety of the people?"

However, many Democratic officials, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, strongly refuted this argument. They contend that video from the scene showed Good driving away and posing no threat to the ICE agent's life.

Secretary Noem also accused Democrats of inciting violence against immigration agents. She stressed, "Considering what Governor Walz and Mayor Frey have said, it's clear they have overly politicized and made inappropriate statements about the actual situation in the city. They are inciting public opinion, encouraging the vandalism and violence we have witnessed in Minneapolis over the past few days."

Protesters called for a full investigation into the circumstances leading to the shooting. Minnesota officials announced on 9/1 that they had launched their own criminal investigation, accusing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of refusing to cooperate with state investigators.

By Huyen Le (AFP, CNN)