Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a warning Thursday to protesters in Minnesota following clashes with federal agents after the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good during an ICE operation.
Bondi said peaceful protest is protected under the First Amendment, but warned that interfering with federal law enforcement or damaging federal property will lead to arrests and prosecution.
She emphasized that obstructing or attacking federal officers is a federal crime and said those who cross that line will face legal consequences.
The warning came as demonstrations continued in Minneapolis after Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer.
Dozens of protesters gathered near federal buildings in the city. Video footage showed demonstrators forming a circle around a makeshift memorial that included flowers, candles, and handwritten signs placed in the snow.
Earlier footage from Thursday morning showed a more confrontational scene outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building. Protesters were seen arguing with federal law enforcement officers as authorities secured the area.
Fox News footage showed officers pushing demonstrators back and appearing to take multiple individuals into custody.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not immediately provide details on the number of arrests.
Images from the scene showed protesters holding signs and chanting slogans critical of ICE. One person was seen carrying an American flag upside down. Signs at the memorial included messages such as calls for ICE to leave and slogans accusing law enforcement of excessive force.
The demonstrations followed widespread anger over the shooting of Good during an ICE enforcement operation on Wednesday.
Federal officials said Good attempted to use her vehicle as a weapon and tried to run over an ICE agent before the officer opened fire.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the agent acted after being placed in immediate danger.
Federal authorities have defended the shooting as justified based on the circumstances, as Fox News reported.
Minnesota state and local officials disputed that account.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) publicly condemned the shooting and said the state would conduct its own investigation.
Walz said Minnesota would ensure a full and fair review of the incident to determine accountability. He also said the state has never been at war with the federal government, pushing back against claims of escalating conflict.
The incident has fueled sharp divisions in Washington, with lawmakers clashing over the Trump administration’s immigration policies and ICE enforcement actions.
In response to security concerns, Minneapolis Public Schools announced that classes would be canceled on January 8 and 9 as a precaution.
Federal officials said enforcement operations would continue despite the unrest, while warning that violence against federal personnel would not be tolerated.
