The media won’t show you this!
Video circulating online this weekend shows members of the Minnesota National Guard handing out coffee and donuts to anti-ICE demonstrators in St. Paul, raising fresh questions about the role of state forces during federal immigration operations.
In the footage, guardsmen wearing reflective yellow vests are seen offering refreshments from the back of a vehicle to protesters gathered near a demonstration site. A National Guard member told local media the outreach was intended as a “demonstration of safety and security” amid heightened tensions.
Earlier this month, the Minnesota National Guard stated on social media that if troops were deployed to the Twin Cities, they would wear reflective vests to clearly distinguish themselves from other uniformed agencies operating in the area.
WATCH:
HAPPENING NOW 🚨: MN National Guard members have arrived at the site of the federal building, and have been ordered to distribute donuts, coffee and hot chocolate to anti-ice protestors.
— Anthony (@anthonycabassa) January 25, 2026
They were given reflective vests so protestors don’t confuse them with federal agents. pic.twitter.com/tnvAHiIMKM
The footage surfaced just a day after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex J. Pretti in south Minneapolis during a federal immigration enforcement action. Federal authorities say the shooting occurred amid a Department of Homeland Security operation in the city, though details about what led to the use of deadly force are still under investigation.
Authorities initially said Pretti approached agents with a firearm and failed to comply with commands. However, bystander video and eyewitness accounts shared online later prompted questions about the sequence of events and whether Pretti posed an immediate threat at the time of the shooting. Federal officials have said the incident remains under review.
The shooting followed another deadly encounter earlier this month, when an ICE officer fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good during a separate enforcement operation in Minneapolis. That incident also sparked protests and renewed scrutiny of immigration enforcement tactics.
In the aftermath, Minnesota’s Democratic leadership — including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey — publicly criticized federal immigration actions and encouraged public demonstrations, actions that later drew attention from federal prosecutors examining whether law enforcement operations were impeded.
On Sunday, Walz called on President Donald Trump to withdraw federal personnel from Minnesota, citing concerns about public safety. The Trump administration responded by stating it is reviewing recent events while reaffirming its commitment to enforcing federal immigration law.
Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, President Trump said his administration is “reviewing everything” related to the incidents, emphasizing that accountability, public safety, and lawful enforcement remain priorities.
Why This Story Is Drawing Attention
- The role of the National Guard during politically charged protests
- Ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement
- Rising tension between state officials and federal authorities
- Questions surrounding transparency and use of force