Democrat Leaders Get Exposed
Republican Rep. Mark Harris sharply criticized Minnesota’s political leadership during a weekend appearance on Newsmax, arguing that state and city officials failed to restore calm following unrest in Minneapolis.
Speaking on The Count, Harris said local leaders missed an opportunity to de-escalate tensions after a federal law enforcement incident, instead allowing demonstrations to spiral into disorder. He warned that the lack of strong leadership has contributed to ongoing instability.
Harris described the situation as “one tragedy layered on another,” saying elected officials should have focused on public safety and unity rather than rhetoric that, in his view, intensified emotions on the streets.
The comments follow a Saturday incident in Minneapolis’ Whittier neighborhood, where a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot a 37-year-old man during a federal operation. The event sparked large protests across the city.
According to federal officials, the individual was armed and resisted attempts to be disarmed. At the same time, bystander video and local accounts circulating online have prompted calls for a closer review of the circumstances.
During the interview, Harris highlighted what he described as sharp national increases in threats and attacks against immigration officers. Citing federal data, he said assaults on ICE agents, vehicle-related attacks, and death threats have risen dramatically in recent years.
“These trends should concern every American who cares about law and order,” Harris said, emphasizing that officers carrying out federal duties should not face escalating violence.
Harris stressed that confronting law enforcement with a weapon greatly increases the risk of deadly outcomes, noting that such situations can quickly turn tragic for everyone involved.
He placed responsibility on Minnesota’s leadership, criticizing officials for what he called a failure to act decisively and calm tensions before demonstrations escalated.
The incident marks the second high-profile encounter involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in recent weeks. Earlier this month, another enforcement action resulted in a fatality, drawing protests and renewed political scrutiny.
Since then, demonstrations have drawn large crowds and, at times, become confrontational. Minnesota officials have condemned the violence, called for formal investigations, and urged demonstrators to exercise their First Amendment rights peacefully while avoiding destruction and harm.
