Vice President J.D. Vance accused Minnesota Democrats on January 22, 2026, of telling local police to “stand down,” refuse cooperation with federal immigration authorities, and thereby embrace disorder amid escalating tensions in Minneapolis. Speaking during a visit to the city at the height of protests over a controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation, Vance framed the unrest as the predictable outcome of a refusal by local leaders to coordinate with federal enforcement.

Vance argued that in a “normal situation,” local law enforcement would work with federal agents to enforce immigration laws, which he said would calm tensions and improve public safety. Instead, he said, Democrats in Minnesota pushed policies that limit cooperation with ICE and instructed police to avoid assisting federal agents, contributing to chaos and confusion on the ground.

His remarks came as Minnesota has been wracked by protests and civil unrest following a fatal shooting during an ICE enforcement action in Minneapolis earlier this month, which has drawn national attention and sparked widespread demonstrations. Federal officials have characterized their presence as part of a broader immigration enforcement campaign, while local leaders have criticized it as aggressive overreach that undermines community trust and public safety.

The situation has been further inflamed by controversial incidents, including the detention of a 5-year-old child during an ICE raid, which federal officials have disputed and said was an unintended consequence of an arrest of the child’s parent.

Vance stressed that cooperation between local police and federal agencies like ICE would lower tensions and make enforcement more effective, casting policies that discourage such cooperation as a root cause of the unrest. His visit included meetings with ICE agents and community leaders as he sought to bolster support for federal measures and urge local authorities to change course.

Minnesota’s reaction to the enforcement surge has been intense, with statewide protests, strikes, and calls for accountability from a broad coalition of community, labor, and faith groups. In some areas, businesses closed in solidarity with demonstrators, who are demanding the withdrawal of ICE and investigations into federal agent conduct.

Vance’s comments highlight a broader national debate over immigration enforcement, local autonomy, and how best to balance public safety with civil liberties in an environment of heightened political polarization and federal-state tensions.