Top House GOP leader demands Tim Walz resign as Minneapolis erupts over ICE shooting

House Of Representatives

Top House GOP leader demands Tim Walz resign as Minneapolis erupts over ICE shooting

Tom Emmer is the No 3 House Republican leader and highest-ranking Minnesotan in Congress

Elizabeth Elkind Fox News

Published

January 15, 2026 1:38pm EST

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Second ICE-involved shooting rocks Minneapolis

Fox News' Matt Finn and 'The Wounded Blue' Founder Lt. Randy Sutton join 'The Faulkner Focus' reacting to the aftermath of another ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis, protests that followed and opposing views from local and federal leadership.

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The highest-ranking Minnesotan in Congress is demanding that his state's governor resign over continued unrest in Minneapolis as protesters clash with federal law enforcement.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., the No. 3 House GOP leader, issued a fresh demand for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to resign as demonstrations in their state's largest city rage over the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, and tensions show no signs of easing.

"The scenes of destruction and damage taking place in Minneapolis are abhorrent. This violence cannot be tolerated," Emmer said in a statement on Thursday. "Tim Walz should resign, effective immediately. The safety of Minnesotans depends on it."

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A split image of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and protests in Minneapolis

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is under pressure as protests erupt in Minneapolis over President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images; Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images)

Protests have erupted in Minneapolis in the wake of the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent earlier this month.

Dueling narratives over who is at fault have been almost completely divided along partisan lines. Republicans argued that the ICE agent was acting in self-defense after Good hit him with her car following a day of attempting to obstruct ICE activity in the city.

Democrats have largely accused the agent of acting recklessly when he shot at Good three times while she was in her car, arguing that video shows she was attempting to adhere to officers' demands to leave the scene.

Another ICE agent allegedly shot an illegal immigrant in the leg on Wednesday during an arrest attempt, further fueling tensions.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a Republican from Minnesota, during a television interview at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Sept. 30, 2025. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

WOMAN SEEN ON VIDEO ALLEGEDLY BLOCKING MINNESOTA ICE OPERATION WITH CAR AS AGITATORS SURROUND AGENTS

Activists used horns and whistles to make noise during demonstrations, while federal officers deployed tear gas and pepper balls in attempts to disperse demonstrators.

"Unfortunately, our state leaders’ inaction and support of these violent riots are failing every Minnesotan and putting law enforcement’s lives at risk," Emmer said.

"It’s past time for Governor Tim Walz to take accountability for his sanctuary-state policies that got us here in the first place and lower the temperature. But last night’s embarrassing and inflammatory speech once again proved he is incapable of leading."

A firework was set off near the scene of a shooting in Minneapolis on Jan. 14, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP Photo)

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Walz said during a speech on Wednesday evening that the federal government was "raining down upon" Minnesota communities.

"As bad as it's been, Donald Trump intends for it to get worse. This week, he went online to promise that, quote, the day of retribution and reckoning is coming," Walz said. "That's a direct threat against the people of this state who dared to vote against him. Three times, and who continue to stand up for freedom with courage and empathy and profound grace."

Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.

Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com

Top House GOP leader demands Tim Walz resign as Minneapolis erupts over ICE shooting