Congresswoman Ilhan Omar squared off against federal agents at an ICE facility in Minneapolis, joining protesters after she was kicked out of the detention center. Details in the comments 👇👇👇

On January 10, 2026, tensions in Minneapolis reached a boiling point as Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), alongside fellow Minnesota Democrats Reps. Angie Craig and Kelly Morrison, attempted an oversight visit to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building—the regional headquarters of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and an immigration court.

What began as a routine congressional inspection quickly escalated into a dramatic confrontation: the lawmakers were initially allowed entry but were expelled within 30 minutes by armed federal agents enforcing a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directive.

Omar then joined the crowd of protesters outside, delivering impassioned remarks amid chants and falling snow, turning the incident into a national flashpoint over immigration enforcement, congressional oversight rights, and public safety.

The backdrop was explosive. Just three days earlier, on January 7, ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, during an immigration enforcement operation in south Minneapolis.

Cellphone videos and bodycam footage circulated widely, showing Good in her SUV amid traffic disruption tied to the raid. DHS claimed self-defense, alleging Good accelerated toward agents, but Omar and local leaders rejected this, calling it excessive force. Omar tweeted immediately: “You’re lying.

There was no attempt to run anyone over, and no ICE agents appear to be hurt.” Mayor Jacob Frey demanded ICE leave the city, while Gov. Tim Walz criticized federal handling of the investigation.

Protests erupted across the Twin Cities, with hundreds—many from the large Somali-American community in Omar’s district—gathering daily at the Whipple Building. Demonstrators accused ICE of a “surge” deployment (over 2,000 agents, with plans for more) targeting welfare fraud allegations in Somali neighborhoods, leading to clashes, hotel blockades, and arrests.

Omar described the operations as “terrorizing, abducting, and deporting Somalis,” framing them as community intimidation.

Against this unrest, the three congresswomen arrived around 9 a.m. on January 10. They claimed prior notification and were initially welcomed—even offered coffee—before two officials arrived to rescind access.

DHS cited a new policy from Secretary Kristi Noem, issued January 8 (one day after the shooting), requiring seven days’ advance notice for congressional visits due to “safety concerns” after overnight riots where protesters allegedly sought out ICE agents in downtown hotels.

Omar called the rule “the most BS statement I’ve ever heard” in an MS NOW interview, arguing it violated congressional oversight rights under Article I and a December 2025 federal ruling blocking similar restrictions.

Video footage captured the standoff: Omar and colleagues facing a line of masked, armed agents blocking the entrance. “We were initially invited in to exercise our Article I duties,” Omar told reporters outside.

“This is a blatant attempt to obstruct oversight.” She briefly glimpsed about 20 detainees in an area without beds, calling conditions “concerning.” DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin countered that the lawmakers arrived with protesters intent on “hunting down” agents, justifying the denial for security.

Omar joined the demonstrators, rallying the crowd: “We are here to stay.” Supporters praised her as a defender of civil rights; critics, including conservative commentators like Benny Johnson, accused her of inciting violence. Legal experts noted congressional access is constitutionally protected, especially unannounced, to ensure humane detention conditions.

Omar’s team and allies are pushing for an emergency federal hearing to enforce prior rulings.

The incident highlights deepening divides. Democrats see it as Trump administration overreach obstructing accountability amid aggressive immigration crackdowns. Republicans and DHS frame it as necessary protection amid unrest. Omar, a vocal progressive and Somali-American, remains central—her district’s demographics make the stakes personal.

Protests persist, with calls for independent probes into Good’s death and ICE tactics.

As Minneapolis grapples with grief and anger, this clash underscores broader national debates: federal vs. local authority, oversight in enforcement, and immigrant community rights. With more agents expected and legal battles looming, the Whipple Building standoff may mark the start of prolonged confrontation.

Meanwhile, in a separate but unrelated cycling headline making waves: “REMCO DOVRÀ SACRIFICARE TUTTO PER SCONFIGGERE TADEJ!” – L’ex compagno di squadra Tim Declercq rivela il segreto oscuro dietro le ambizioni di Evenepoel al Tour de France.

After his blockbuster transfer to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, leaked training videos show Remco Evenepoel pushing limits to dethrone dominant Tadej Pogačar. Declercq warns: to beat the Slovenian on all terrains, Evenepoel must reach unprecedented power levels—sacrificing everything in the process.

The epic showdown looms at the 2026 Tour de France, starting in Barcelona on July 4.