Minnesota’s far-left Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty charges an ICE agent with felony assault, undermining federal immigration enforcement under President Trump’s second term.
Charges Announced Against ICE Agent
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced felony assault charges against an ICE agent on April 16, 2026. The agent allegedly pointed his gun at motorists on a Minneapolis highway during ICE’s Operation Metro Surge immigration enforcement. This action occurred amid heightened federal efforts to secure borders under President Trump’s second term. Moriarty’s office asserts state jurisdiction despite federal defenses invoking supremacy. Conservatives view this as targeted obstruction of lawful immigration control.
Background of Operation Metro Surge Incidents
ICE launched Operation Metro Surge in January 2026 to target illegal immigrants in Minneapolis. On January 7, agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in her vehicle. On January 14, agents shot Julio Sosa-Celis in the leg during an operation. Initial federal charges accused locals Alejandro Aljorna and Sosa-Celis of assaulting officers with a shovel. Surveillance video later exposed ICE agents’ untruthful sworn statements about the events.
U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota dismissed those charges in February, citing video evidence materially inconsistent with agent testimony. This admission highlighted accountability gaps in federal operations. State prosecutors in Hennepin and Ramsey counties launched parallel probes into agent conduct, prioritizing local oversight.
Federal and State Investigations Intensify
U.S. Attorney’s Office opened a criminal probe into two ICE officers for perjury after the video revelations. DOJ spokesperson confirmed officers face potential termination and prosecution. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi vowed persistence, stating authorities will not relent. ICE placed implicated agents on leave. Families of shooting victims demand charges against agents, amplifying calls for justice.
Legal expert Carolyn Shapiro from Chicago-Kent College of Law affirmed states’ undisputed jurisdiction to investigate and charge federal agents. She dismissed absolute immunity claims as incorrect, citing over a century of precedents. Hennepin County DA’s office rejected federal supremacy arguments outright.
Far-Left Minnesota District Attorney Announces FELONY Assault Charges Against ICE Agent in Minneapolis (VIDEO)
READ: https://t.co/HkpAkGRt9T pic.twitter.com/gsugoFNIUN
— The Gateway Pundit (@gatewaypundit) April 16, 2026
Implications for Trump Administration Priorities
These developments establish precedent for states prosecuting federal immigration enforcers, potentially chilling operations nationwide. Minnesota’s sanctuary policies clash with Trump’s border security mandate, frustrating supporters weary of open borders and illegal immigration. High energy costs and inflation from past mismanagement compound public outrage over government overreach. ICE’s internal defenses strain under dual state-federal scrutiny.
Conservatives decry this as erosion of federal authority essential for national sovereignty. Limited data confirms no prior formal charges, but today’s announcement marks escalation. Trump loyalists urge federal intervention to protect agents upholding law amid leftist resistance. Broader effects may reshape enforcement in blue states.
Sources:
ICE agents accused of lying about Minneapolis shooting under oath
