On Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, Gov. Tim Walz and local safety officials announced the Minnesota National Guard has been “mobilized” and is on standby if needed.
As protests continue, so does the tension between protesters and federal agents. A Facebook post from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said, under the direction of Walz, the Minnesota National Guard is mobilized and “staging to support local law enforcement and emergency management agencies.” Troops have not been deployed, according to the post, “but are ready to help support public safety, including protection of life, preservation of property and supporting the rights of all who assemble peacefully.”
This order comes two days after President Donald J. Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would give him the authority to deploy U.S. armed forces domestically. The state of Minnesota has been in turmoil since 37-year-old Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent, Jonathan Ross, on Jan. 7.
After the fatal shooting, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey held a press conference telling ICE to “Get the fuck out of Minneapolis.” Since then, the Department of Justice has launched an investigation into Frey and Walz under allegations of conspiring to impede a federal immigration enforcement in the state.
On Jan. 14, another ICE-involved shooting occurred in Minneapolis. Reportedly, a man was shot in the leg by an ICE officer after three men hit the agent with shovels and broom handles.
What to Know If Minnesota National Guard Is Deployed
Members of the Minnesota National Guard will be wearing reflective vests. In an X post it was written, “If our members are activated, they will be wearing reflective vests … to help distinguish them from other agencies in similar uniforms.
Minneapolis ‘March Against Fraud Protest
Pardoned January 6 rioter Jake Lang organized a “March Against Fraud” protest on Saturday. During his campaign, he was “brutally heckled” by protesters, as reported by Hindustan Times. Videos of Lang being mobbed before escaping into a car and driving away spread quickly through social media.
Lang, himself, confirmed he was stabbed in a social media post, “I just got stabbed by a crazie white commie leftist rioter today in Minnesota All for pointing out their replacement by 70 IG burka wearing (pirate) Somalians. Plate carrier blocked it. Jesus is King. DEUS VULT.”
Former chief of Proud Boys Enrique Tarrio has publicly supported Land in a lengthy post on X. In that post, Tarrio said what happened to Lang was inexcusable. “You can hate everything about Jake Lang. You can call him an agitator a fed…whatever you want…But he has more balls than you. He was seriously injured for his speech. And the cops did nothing. They showed up hours late. Last time I felt like this we peacefully disrupted Portland and its Antifa network and eventually got the President to label Antifa a domestic terrorist organization. I’ve been reserved but when is enough enough?”
As emotions are pressed amid rising tensions everyone is urged to remain peaceful in these overwhelmingly stressful times. The enemy wins when violence ensues. Level heads are more clearly heard and will prevail. Comfort each other and share peace in the home and find gratefulness together. If people choose to remain divided in violence, repairs and healing cannot begin. Lives are too precious to continue to wage war in the streets of America. Be strong together in a peaceful alliance.
By Jeanette Vietti
USA TODAY: Gov. Walz mobilizes Minnesota National Guard amid heated protests
Hindustan Times: Jake Lang praised by former Proud Boys head Enrique Tarrio after being mobbed in Minneapolis; ‘has more balls…’
Featured Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
