‘It does change the mindset’: ICE director admits clashes with protesters forcing officers to shift gears
Continuing clashes with ICE in Minneapolis have forced the federal government to change its tactics when making arrests of criminal illegal aliens targeted for deportation.
That’s according to ICE Director Todd Lyons who says violent confrontations launched by agitators is forcing the agency to shift gears in how officers do their jobs.
“It does change the mindset of the men and women of ICE, but that’s why we have to provide them so much support,” Lyons said on “Sunday Morning Futures” with Maria Bartiromo on the Fox News Channel.
“You hear about the 3,000 federal officers and special agents that deployed to Minneapolis. The majority of those, if not most, are there to protect the men and women that are out there trying to make those arrests, and that has definitely changed our tactics.
WATCH:
ICE Director Todd Lyons explains how Minnesota leaders are responsible for the ICE surge, by refusing to cooperate:
“In my 30 years of law enforcement, I never thought we would have to send law enforcement to protect law enforcement.” pic.twitter.com/cdBFOtw26N
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 18, 2026
“Where we would go and have five to six officers on an arrest team, now you have to go with 10 to 15 just to protect those individuals that are trying to arrest a bad guy.
“In my 30 years of law enforcement, I never thought we would have to send law enforcement to protect law enforcement. But I don’t think you’d see as many of the issues if political leaders would allow their local and state law enforcement to work with us. It’s never a public safety issue to pit law enforcement against each other.”
VIDEO THREAD: Federal agents pushed into the crowd Thursday afternoon at the Whipple Federal Building, making arrests as right wingers arrived to confront anti-ICE protesters.
“I can’t breath!” a man pleaded while being arrested amidst tear gas with a face full of mace and… pic.twitter.com/ZI5ecZKy4J
— Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) January 15, 2026
Lyons lamented “sanctuary jurisdictions,” explaining “you would not see this many ICE agents and special agents on the street focused on the criminal illegal alien mission if they would just turn people over to us. That’s the key.
“These local law-enforcement agencies have already deemed these individuals a public safety threat and arrested them. Why not work with federal partners, turn them over to us, and let us get them out of their communities?”
WATCH:
LYONS: “These sanctuary jurisdictions — you would not see this many ICE agents and special agents on the street… if they would just turn people over to us… Why not work with federal partners, turn them over to us, and let us get them out of their communities?” pic.twitter.com/B5xa1tiKDf
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 18, 2026
As WorldNetDaily reported, President Donald Trump on Sunday wondered aloud why both officials and some residents of Minnesota are continuing to promote anti-ICE mayhem in the state.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “ICE is removing some of the most violent criminals in the World from our Country, and bring them back home, where they belong.
“Why is Minnesota fighting this? Do they really want murderers and drug dealers to be ensconced in their community? The thugs that are protesting include many highly paid professional agitators and anarchists. Is this really what Minnesota wants?
“The crooked Governor and ‘Congresswoman’ Omar, who married her brother, don’t mind because it keeps the focus of attention off the 18 Billion Dollar, Plus, FRAUD, that has taken place in the State! Don’t worry, we’re on it!”
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