Minneapolis Prosecutors Decline Charges Against Anti-ICE Protesters

Hennepin County files zero charges despite riots, street blockades, and attacks on police

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Minneapolis is facing sustained unrest from anti-ICE protesters, including declared riots, fireworks launched at police officers, and street blockades choking busy intersections. However, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office has filed zero charges, despite receiving 21 referrals for prosecution. The Minneapolis City Attorney's Office has filed only 15 formal criminal complaints out of 16 referrals, with an additional 90 misdemeanor citations issued by law enforcement. A criminal defense attorney expressed shock at the lack of enforcement, stating that "there should probably be hundreds of citations" based on the level of lawlessness observed.

Why it matters

The lack of prosecution by local authorities raises concerns about equal protection under the law and the selective enforcement of laws based on political sympathies. When prosecutors decline to hold lawbreakers accountable, it can embolden further unrest and create a public safety crisis that affects all residents, regardless of their political views.

The details

The protests have involved blocking roads, obstructing emergency access, and assaulting police officers - actions that are considered misdemeanors under Minnesota law. However, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office has not filed any charges, despite receiving 21 referrals for prosecution. The Minneapolis City Attorney's Office has filed 15 formal criminal complaints and issued an additional 90 misdemeanor citations, but critics argue that the response is woefully inadequate given the scale of the unrest.

  • On Jan. 14, over 100 activists were involved in a declared riot, with police officers being struck by fireworks, ice projectiles, and snowballs.
  • Between Jan. 9 and Feb. 6, the Minneapolis City Attorney's Office filed 15 formal criminal complaints out of 16 referrals received.

The players

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty

The Hennepin County Attorney who has publicly expressed support for the anti-ICE protests and has not filed any charges despite receiving 21 referrals for prosecution.

Nathan Hansen

A Minneapolis-area criminal defense attorney who expressed shock at the lack of enforcement, stating that there should be hundreds of citations based on the level of lawlessness observed.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara

The police chief who reported that officers were struck with fireworks, ice projectiles, and snowballs during the Jan. 14 riot, despite being undermanned to respond to the declared riot.

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What they’re saying

“Only nine citations? I'm shocked. That's insane. There should probably be hundreds of citations based upon what I've seen.”

— Nathan Hansen, Criminal Defense Attorney

“If you think contextually about not charging this stuff — somebody falls, somebody has an accident, anybody gets hurt — you're going to get a response from police, fire, department, ambulance, and they've got to go through a checkpoint? You've got people blocking the road. People could die.”

— Nathan Hansen, Criminal Defense Attorney

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow any of the arrested protesters out on bail.

The takeaway

The lack of prosecution by local authorities in Minneapolis highlights the dangers of selective enforcement of the law based on political sympathies. When prosecutors decline to hold lawbreakers accountable, it can embolden further unrest and create a public safety crisis that affects all residents, regardless of their political views.