After President Trump suggested this week that he may work to “de-escalate” the tensions in Minneapolis, and sent border czar Tom Homan to meet with Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced new arrests in the city where federal officers have shot and killed two American citizens during the Department of Homeland Security’s “Operation Metro Surge.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Bondi posted on social media: “MINNESOTA ARRESTS — I am on the ground in Minneapolis today. Federal agents have arrested 16 Minnesota rioters for allegedly assaulting federal law enforcement — people who have been resisting and impeding our federal law enforcement agents.
“We expect more arrests to come. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: NOTHING will stop President Trump and this Department of Justice from enforcing the law.”
MINNESOTA ARRESTS — I am on the ground in Minneapolis today. Federal agents have arrested 16 Minnesota rioters for allegedly assaulting federal law enforcement — people who have been resisting and impeding our federal law enforcement agents.
We expect more arrests to come.
I’ve…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) January 28, 2026
Bondi added a list of 16 people who have been arrested today in Minneapolis for allegedly violating “18 U.S. Code § 111 (Assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees).”
[NOTE: Both shooting deaths at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis have been characterized by the administration as warranted responses to U.S. citizens — Renee Good and Alex Pretti — allegedly “impeding” law enforcement on the ground.]
Bondi included photographs of those arrested on Wednesday, notably a demographically diverse group — young, old, White, Black, male, female among them.
Anna Bower, senior editor at Lawfare, replied to Bondi’s photos: “You rarely see booking photos of federal defendants because Justice Department policy generally prohibits it. The release of such photos is permitted only if it serves a law enforcement function. @AGPamBondi, what law enforcement function does this serve?”
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) also replied to Bondi: “Could we see some video of the ‘assaults’ you allege? Nobody believes you or your partisan DOJ — which is focused on protestors not ICE murderers.”
The Attorney General has not yet responded to these requests.