New York Times columnist David Brooks stated Friday that protests in Minneapolis targeting ICE officers are increasing public pressure and could ultimately expose federal immigration policy to nationwide scrutiny. His comments came during an interview on PBS NewsHour, where he addressed the ongoing tensions following a fatal ICE shooting in the city.
Brooks acknowledged that protesters are intensifying the situation but argued that if demonstrations remain nonviolent, they will draw national attention to the operations of federal immigration authorities. He emphasized that nonviolent protest is key to shifting public perception, stating that Americans need to see what is happening in their own country.
Brooks also addressed the possibility of the federal government invoking the Insurrection Act, which allows for military force in domestic situations. He said the growing conversation around this measure is adding pressure to an already volatile environment. While expressing skepticism about Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Brooks said the protesters are effectively applying tension to ICE officers through peaceful means.
He suggested that visible deportations, especially of what he called “respectable families,” could trigger a broader response from the public. According to Brooks, such events would not only concern progressives or Democrats, but also ordinary Americans who might begin questioning the direction of federal policy. He believes that moment is approaching.
The remarks come as ICE faces legal challenges and increased resistance from local governments. Courts have begun to place limits on how federal agents may interact with protesters, especially regarding the use of force and detentions without clear legal justification. These legal moves follow public outcry over the recent ICE shooting, which has galvanized protests not only in Minneapolis but across several U.S. cities.
Protests continue to gain momentum as Americans grapple with immigration policy, federal authority, and civil liberties. The situation in Minneapolis may be a flashpoint, but the issues at stake extend far beyond one city.
