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By Anna Commander
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reacted to videos circulating online showing U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis throwing canisters of green gas near people, telling Newsweek in part that "agents had to use crowd control measures to disperse the hostile crowd."
Why It Matters
The deployment of a green chemical agent comes amid Operation Metro Surge, an intensified immigration enforcement campaign that has triggered legal challenges, street demonstrations and accusations about the use of force by federal officers in the Twin Cities.
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Hours before the green smoke was seen on video, the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals froze a district court order that had barred the use of pepper spray and other munitions against peaceful protesters.
The event also followed the deadly January 7 shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis, which has heightened protests and calls for accountability amid federal operations.
What To Know
Videos on social media showed federal agents launching green gas on Wednesday during the day against crowds in Minneapolis.
Video geolocated to Mueller Park in Minneapolis showed a green chemical agent being deployed after protesters reportedly followed federal agents from a nearby gas station, with additional white and green agents visible and an officer seemingly dragging a person in the street, CNN reports.
In response to Newsweek's question about the videos, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, “Today, Border Patrol agents who were in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area as part of a targeted enforcement operation were repeatedly harassed and blocked by hostile crowds while simply trying to take bathroom breaks.
"At each gas station where the agents stopped to use the restroom, groups of agitators appeared, yelled at them, stalked them, and even tried to prevent law enforcement vehicles from leaving, creating unsafe conditions. At one stop, individuals in the crowd threw food at the agents. At their final gas station stop, someone spit on an agent. When an agent moved to detain the person who spit on him, the crowd tackled and attacked the agents while surrounding them. To safely clear the area agents had to use crowd control measures to disperse the hostile crowd.”
The Associated Press reports that U.S. Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino was recorded on a Minneapolis street, warning, “Gas is coming!” before throwing a canister that released green smoke, shortly after the appeals court stayed restrictions on federal agents.
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What People Are Saying
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, on X Wednesday: "Minnesota Court Victory: A liberal judge in Minnesota tried to handcuff ICE agents who are enforcing the Nation’s immigration laws and responding to obstructive and violent interference from agitators. The 8th Circuit just granted an administrative stay HALTING these restrictions, which were designed to undermine federal law enforcement. This DOJ will protect federal law enforcement agents from criminals in the streets AND activist judges in the courtroom."
Bovino, on X Monday: "Anarchists threaten American citizens now in the same way they did in 2020 Minneapolis. The US Border Patrol has zero tolerance for violence."
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, on X Wednesday: "The 3,000 ICE and federal agents in Minnesota outnumber all 10 metro police departments combined. Local law enforcement leaders have made it clear that this surge is disrupting public safety, stretching resources, and making their jobs more difficult. ICE is making us less safe."
What Happens Next
Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit Minnesota on Thursday and speak on "restoring law and order," the White House says.
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