Trump Lashes Out at 'Vicious' ICE Detainees in Minnesota

President falsely portrays immigrants arrested in crackdown as 'hardened, vicious, horrible criminals'

Jan. 27, 2026 at 8:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a speech in Iowa, President Trump launched into a tirade against immigrants arrested by ICE in Minnesota, falsely describing them as 'hardened, vicious, horrible criminals' who pose a threat to public safety. This comes despite the fact that most of those arrested have no criminal record. Trump also attacked anti-ICE protesters as 'paid insurrectionists' and 'paid agitators'.

Why it matters

Trump's inflammatory rhetoric about immigrants and law enforcement crackdowns in Minnesota reflects his continued efforts to demonize undocumented immigrants for political gain, despite evidence that most pose no threat to public safety. This divisive approach has fueled tensions and protests in the state.

The details

In his speech, Trump raised the specter of immigrants 'blowing up our shopping centers' and 'killing people,' and claimed that '2 percent of the population causes 90 percent of the crime.' In reality, most of the immigrants arrested by ICE in Minnesota have no criminal record. Trump also attacked anti-ICE protesters as 'paid insurrectionists' and 'paid agitators,' despite the fact that many were simply voicing opposition to the administration's aggressive tactics.

  • On Tuesday, Trump delivered a speech in Iowa that veered into a tirade about ICE arrests in Minnesota.
  • Earlier on Tuesday, Trump had suggested he might 'de-escalate' the ICE crackdown in Minnesota, before later pushing back on the idea of any retreat.

The players

President Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who has repeatedly used inflammatory rhetoric to demonize immigrants and justify aggressive law enforcement tactics.

ICE

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency that has carried out high-profile crackdowns on undocumented immigrants under the Trump administration.

Anti-ICE protesters

Demonstrators in Minnesota who have voiced opposition to the administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics in the state.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“They get paid. These are all paid agitators, that's all they are. They get paid to go and — they don't even know when they interview them. 'Why are you here? I don't know.' They have no idea. They're paid insurrectionists, really, in some cases. They're sickos.”

— President Trump (New York Times)

The takeaway

Trump's inflammatory rhetoric about immigrants and law enforcement crackdowns in Minnesota reflects his continued efforts to demonize undocumented immigrants for political gain, despite evidence that most pose no threat to public safety. This divisive approach has fueled tensions and protests in the state, underscoring the need for a more balanced and humane approach to immigration policy.