Bondi Warns Minnesota Protesters to Stay Away From Federal Agents
📅 January 9, 2026
✍️ Editor: Sudhir Choudhary, The Vagabond News
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a stern warning to protesters in Minnesota, urging them to stay away from federal agents amid heightened tensions following recent immigration enforcement actions and a deadly shooting involving federal officers.
Bondi’s remarks, delivered during a media appearance on Thursday, January 8, 2026, came as demonstrations continued in parts of Minneapolis and neighboring areas. Protests intensified earlier this week after an ICE-related operation resulted in a fatal shooting, prompting widespread anger and calls for accountability.
Warning Amid Escalating Protests
Speaking at around 5:00 p.m. ET, Bondi said federal agents are operating under increasingly volatile conditions and cautioned protesters against confronting or interfering with them.
“People have a right to protest peacefully,” Bondi said. “But when you approach federal agents, block their operations, or threaten them, you are crossing a legal line. Stay away from federal officers doing their jobs.”
Her comments echoed recent internal guidance from the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which emphasized officer safety and authorized agents to take decisive action if threatened.
Federal Stance on Officer Safety
Federal officials say agents have faced increased hostility during immigration operations, including verbal threats and attempts to obstruct enforcement. Law enforcement sources said Bondi’s warning reflects broader concern within the federal government about the safety of personnel deployed during protests.
A senior DHS official said on January 7 at 6:30 p.m. ET that while peaceful protest is constitutionally protected, any attempt to intimidate or physically interfere with agents could lead to arrests or additional charges.
Pushback From Civil Rights Groups
Civil liberties organizations criticized Bondi’s remarks, arguing that such warnings risk chilling lawful protest and could be interpreted as endorsing aggressive policing tactics.
“Protesters are exercising their First Amendment rights,” said an attorney with a Minnesota-based civil rights group. “Blanket warnings like this can escalate tensions rather than calm them, especially in communities already traumatized by enforcement actions.”
Community leaders in Minneapolis said they have urged demonstrators to remain peaceful while continuing to demand transparency in the federal investigation into the shooting.
Political Context and Broader Debate
Bondi’s comments come as immigration enforcement has once again become a flashpoint in national politics. Supporters of strict enforcement argue that strong warnings are necessary to prevent violence against officers, while critics say federal agencies should scale back operations that inflame public anger.
Minnesota officials have called for calm, with local law enforcement increasing patrols near protest sites to prevent clashes between demonstrators and federal personnel.
Conclusion
Pam Bondi’s warning to Minnesota protesters to keep their distance from federal agents underscores the growing strain between immigration authorities and communities protesting enforcement actions. As demonstrations continue and investigations proceed, the balance between protecting officer safety and safeguarding the right to protest remains a central—and unresolved—challenge.
Tags: Pam Bondi, Minnesota Protests, Federal Agents, ICE, Immigration Enforcement
Source: Statements by Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security officials, and civil rights advocates
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