House Democrats have received private instructions from their leadership to stay away from Minnesota where they might show support for anti-ICE protesters in what appears to be a radical departure from the party’s previous position.
A number of Democratic figures have already travelled to the state in recent days, including Sen. Raphael Warnock and New York congressional candidates Brad Lander and Micah Lasher where they have been outspoken in rebuking Trump’s ICE surge in the city and the recent high-profile deaths of two anti-ICE protestors, poet Renee Good and nurse Alex Pretti.
Meanwhile, Minnesota’s Jacob Frey stated, “Minneapolis does not and will not enforce federal immigration laws” and has faced accusations by his critics he has enabled confrontations between protestors and ICE agents by failing to deploy local police to keep Americans a safe distance from deportation operations.
However, a senior aide to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sent an email to Democratic congressional offices on Monday urging lawmakers to stay in their own districts for safety concerns.
The advice arrives as members of Congress face an increasingly dangerous threat environment, with recent assaults on lawmakers Ilhan Omar and Maxwell Frost.
“In speaking with the [Minnesota] delegation offices and the Governor’s team it has become clear that the best thing for Members to do right now is to support their MN colleagues by participating in the Days of Action in their home district this week,” the staffer wrote.
“Visiting the state right now, although well intentioned, puts a burden on local resources and does not support our colleagues, the city and state government, local law enforcement and most importantly the people of Minneapolis.”
Two staffers who received the message confirmed its authenticity, reports Axios.
Local officials warn of strain on law enforcement
The instructions have also circulated through informal channels, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal conversations states the report.
“Minnesota elected officials cautioned members from going as it could add strain and overwhelm local law enforcement,” the lawmaker said.
Democrat Ilhan Omar was addressing a local meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday, January 27, when an audience member sprayed her using a syringe, according to police. Ms Omar had called for Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to resign over the shooting of Alex Pretti before the protester, later identified as Anthony J. Kazmierczak, 55, ran towards her, wielding the mysterious liquid.
A hot mic captured her response, with the congresswoman heard muttering: “F**king a**hole” as the man was dragged away by security, according to reports.
Kazmierczak, 55, faces third-degree assault charges and remains in custody without bail, the local sheriff’s office confirmed.
Divisions over federal immigration enforcement in America have deepened after agents shot dead Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse, and Renee Good, a mother of three, this month.
Trump suggests Omar faked attack
Mr Trump responded to the incident by branding Ms Omar a “fraud” and implying she staged the assault.
“No, I don’t think about her,” he told ABC News. “I think she’s a fraud. I really don’t think about that. She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”
Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey also condemned the attack. “Violence and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis,” he said. “We can disagree without putting people at risk. This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in our city.”