Noem announced an increased federal presence in Minneapolis during interviews on Fox Business and CNN. She argued that it was necessary to ensure the safety of Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers who were sent to Minnesota as part of the “largest-ever” operation against illegal immigrants.
— We are sending more officers today and tomorrow; they will come, there will be hundreds of them, to enable our ICE and Border Patrol officers working in Minneapolis to work safely,” Noem said on Fox Business.
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How many federal officers will be sent to Minneapolis?
What were the reasons for increasing the service presence in Minneapolis?
What did Kristi Noem say about Renee Good?
What were the consequences of the protests in Minneapolis?
Speaking of the mission in Minneapolis, where over 2,000 have already been sent. officers, she justified it with the scandal of extorting billions of dollars of state money by members of the Somali diaspora in this state.
“It's about uncovering the real corruption and theft that took place there,” she emphasized, adding that Minneapolis is the epicenter of this practice and accusing the state authorities of “protecting criminals.”
Kristi Noem defends her statements about Renee Good, who was killed by an ICE agent
Meanwhile, in an interview with CNN, Noem defended her statements about the killing of 37-year-old Renee Good, who took part in protests against the actions of this service, by an ICE officer. Noem stood by her statement made immediately after the tragedy, when she called the victim a “terrorist.”
“If you look at the definition of domestic terrorism, it perfectly fits the situation on the ground,” she said. — This officer was hit by a vehicle, she used it as a weapon, and he defended his life, the lives of his colleagues around him and the public, she said.
Federal authorities, including Noem, are accused by Democrats and critics of lying about the incident and baselessly accusing the victim of wanting to attack the officer. The FBI's decision to exclude state services from the investigation into the incident is also controversial. Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith said Sunday in an ABC interview that she believed it was an attempt to cover up the crime.
— I think what we're seeing here is an attempt by the federal government, Kristi Noem, Vice President Vance and Donald Trump to cover up what happened in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul – PAP). And I don't think people here and across the country believe that, Smith said.
Following the incident, there have been daily demonstrations in the city and there have been sporadic clashes and scuffles between protesters and officers. According to Minneapolis authorities, 30 people were arrested over the weekend and one police officer suffered minor injuries after being hit by a piece of ice.
