MINNEAPOLIS, MN January 24, 2026 – A Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officer suffered a gruesome injury during violent clashes in Minneapolis, where anti-immigration enforcement protests have escalated into riots. According to a post by Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, rioters attacked law enforcement, resulting in one officer losing his finger after it was bitten off.
McLaughlin shared graphic images on X (formerly Twitter) showing the injured officer seated in a vehicle, his bloody finger exposed as another person in black gloves appears to provide aid. “In Minneapolis, these rioters attacked our law enforcement officer and one of them bit off our HSI officer’s finger. He will lose his finger,” McLaughlin wrote in the post, which has garnered over 2.4 million views and thousands of reactions.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of widespread protests against the Trump administration’s intensified immigration crackdown, dubbed “Operation Metro Surge.” Thousands braved subzero temperatures on January 23 to march against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the city, demanding that federal agents leave. Protests turned violent following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen, by federal immigration agents during an attempt to detain an undocumented individual wanted for violent assault. Authorities claim Pretti approached Border Patrol officers with a 9mm handgun and resisted disarmament, leading an agent to fire in self-defense.
Eyewitness accounts and videos from the scene depict masked federal officers deploying tear gas and flashbangs to disperse crowds, with protesters confronting agents in a south Minneapolis neighborhood. The shooting drew hundreds to the area, escalating tensions that have now led to riots, including attacks on law enforcement and property damage. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has deployed the National Guard to assist overwhelmed local police as violence continues into the night.
Reactions to McLaughlin’s post highlight deep divisions. Supporters, including journalist Andy Ngo, expressed horror at the injury and called the suspects “depraved.” Critics, however, pointed to the deaths of protesters, with one user noting, “Two Americans lost their lives and you’re worried about a thug’s finger?” Others referenced videos allegedly showing excessive force by agents.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem attributed the violence to “hateful rhetoric from Minnesota’s sanctuary politicians,” urging an end to such policies. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Walz have called for de-escalation and an investigation into the shootings, emphasizing community safety amid the federal operations.
The protests echo the city’s history of unrest, including the 2020 George Floyd demonstrations, but residents report a renewed sense of community resistance against what they view as an external threat. As of early January 25, arrests have been made, including over 100 clergy in related demonstrations, and the situation remains fluid with potential for further escalation. Authorities advise avoiding affected areas as investigations continue.
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