FBI strengthens presence in Minneapolis amid mass protests

The FBI has increased its presence in Minneapolis as mass protests continue to unfold across the city, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

According to the outlet, the bureau has reached out to agents nationwide, requesting temporary deployments to Minneapolis to support operational duties.

Sources told Bloomberg that in recent days the FBI sent messages offering voluntary transfers, but the notices did not explicitly mention the protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which have intensified in the city.

The communications also did not clarify the specific purpose of the assignment, sources added.

This week, FBI Director Kesh Patel and U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche visited Minneapolis. Following the visit, Patel stated that the agency is intensifying measures against participants involved in violent actions, investigating funding channels behind the protests, and has already made several arrests.

The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security have already been increasing their presence in Minneapolis. The city has become a focal point of anti-ICE protests since an officer shot and killed a woman, Renee Good, on January 7 while she was in her car.

The development comes amid growing tensions in Minneapolis, where demonstrations against ICE have escalated into large-scale unrest. Federal authorities appear to be expanding their role as local officials struggle to contain the situation.

By Khagan Isayev