By Gloria Ogbonna
House Democratic leadership staff privately advised members of Congress not to travel to Minnesota this week, citing heightened security concerns, recent attacks on lawmakers, and fears that additional high-profile visits could further strain local law enforcement resources amid ongoing anti-ICE demonstrations.
According to an internal email obtained by Axios, aides to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) recommended that Democratic lawmakers refrain from traveling to Minnesota and instead show solidarity from their home districts.
While the guidance emphasized continued support for anti-ICE activism, it cautioned that in-person visits could unintentionally worsen an already volatile situation on the ground. Axios confirmed the authenticity of the email with two congressional staffers familiar with the message.
“In speaking with the [Minnesota] delegation offices and the Governor’s team, it has become clear that the best thing for Members to do right now is to support their MN colleagues by participating in the Days of Action in their home district this week,” the email stated.
The message went on to warn that traveling to Minnesota at this time “puts a burden on local resources and does not support our colleagues, the city and state government, local law enforcement, and most importantly the people of Minneapolis.”
The recommendation comes as Democratic lawmakers face an increasingly tense threat environment nationwide. In recent weeks, several elected officials have been targeted in physical confrontations, raising alarms about personal safety and public security.
On January 27, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) was sprayed with an unknown substance by a man during a town hall event where she was calling for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the resignation or impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Video footage from the event shows Omar being quickly escorted off stage as attendees reacted in shock. Omar later downplayed the incident, saying, “I’m a survivor, so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work.”
Only days earlier, Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) was punched in the face at a Sundance Film Festival party. Frost described the assault as racially motivated, citing comments allegedly made by the attacker referencing President Donald Trump and threats of deportation.
The suspect in that incident was arrested, further highlighting growing concerns among lawmakers about politically motivated violence.
Despite the advisory, Axios reported that several Democratic figures had already traveled to Minnesota in support of ongoing protests. Among them was Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), who appeared at events in Minneapolis alongside New York political candidates Brad Lander and Micah Lasher.
Warnock characterized the protests as part of what he described as a national “moral moment,” stating, “Donald Trump has unleashed evil on our streets.” He invoked the deaths of George Floyd and others, calling for a multiracial coalition to confront what he framed as a broader spiritual and moral crisis in the country.
Brad Lander, who was arrested in 2025 for allegedly interfering with ICE agents during a deportation operation, has remained a vocal critic of federal immigration enforcement.
During that incident, Lander reportedly demanded a judicial warrant from officers and resisted removal before being taken into custody. In a later interview, he accused the Trump administration of intentionally escalating tensions. “Trump is trying to escalate conflict. He wants to bait and provoke,” Lander said, referring to federal immigration actions and the deployment of National Guard forces to various U.S. cities.
Tensions in Minnesota have intensified in recent days due to protests targeting federal immigration enforcement operations.
On Wednesday, multiple arrests were made during an anti Border Patrol protest outside a hotel in Maple Grove. Authorities declared the gathering unlawful after reports of property damage and protesters throwing objects at police officers.
Law enforcement officials said several of those arrested had prior criminal records, including convictions for robbery, theft, and driving while intoxicated.
The unrest coincides with Operation Metro Surge, a Department of Homeland Security initiative focused on apprehending violent criminal illegal aliens in so-called sanctuary jurisdictions.
This week alone, DHS announced arrests in Minnesota of individuals accused or convicted of serious crimes, including homicide, rape, child sex offenses, and aggravated assault.
Despite mounting public safety concerns, Democratic leaders have continued to push for sweeping changes to ICE. Earlier this month, Jeffries accused the agency of using taxpayer funds to “brutalize families and kill American citizens,” pointing to the death of Renee Nicole Goode as an example.
He has called for increased oversight of ICE operations, including mandatory body cameras, bans on agents wearing masks, and requirements for judicial warrants before enforcement actions.
For now, House Democratic leadership appears focused on limiting travel to Minnesota, balancing public expressions of solidarity with growing concerns over safety, law enforcement capacity, and escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement.
Source Breitbart
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