2020 – The Minneapolis‑St. Paul unrest following George Floyd’s murder leaves the police department understaffed, with officers reporting lingering trauma and the force hovering around 600 officers, far below pre‑2020 levels[3].

Dec 2025 – The Department of Homeland Security launches Operation Metro Surge, deploying more than 2,000 immigration agents to the Twin Cities and reporting over 2,000 arrests since the start of the operation[17].

Dec 2025 – Six Minnesota activists file a federal suit seeking a temporary restraining order against ICE and Border Patrol agents, alleging unlawful use of tear‑gas, biometric scans and warrantless arrests[15].

Jan 7, 2026 – ICE officer shoots Renee Good, a 37‑year‑old mother of three, in the head while she drives in Minneapolis; DHS Secretary Kristi Noem travels to the city and calls the incident “domestic terrorism”[10].

Jan 7, 2026 – Governor Tim Walz issues a warning order to ready the Minnesota National Guard (≈13,000 members) and deploys 85 State Patrol officers to the Twin Cities, warning the federal government to stay out[10].

Jan 7, 2026 – Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly rebukes the DHS account, telling federal agents to “get the fuck out of Minneapolis”[10].

Jan 11‑12, 2026 – DHS Secretary Kristi Noem pledges “hundreds of officers” to arrive “today and tomorrow” to protect ICE agents, framing the surge as a safety measure[14].

Jan 12, 2026 – Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul file an 80‑page federal lawsuit demanding an injunction against the immigration crackdown, arguing it “terrorizes” communities and violates the Constitution[9][17].

Jan 12, 2026 – Illinois and Chicago file parallel lawsuits accusing DHS of “organized bombardment” and retaliation for sanctuary policies[8].

Jan 12, 2026 – DHS releases video showing the minutes before Good’s shooting, claiming she “impeded the operation”[9].

Jan 13, 2026 – Attorney General Keith Ellison says the federal surge “upended life for millions and caused chaos and violence” and calls it a “federal invasion”[1].

Jan 13, 2026 – President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social that “thousands of already convicted murderers, drug dealers and addicts” are in Minnesota and praises ICE agents as “patriots”[1].

Jan 13, 2026 – Six senior federal prosecutors, including First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, resign under White House pressure to focus the investigation on Good’s actions rather than the ICE officer[5][7].

Jan 13, 2026 – Pentagon emails request 40 Judge Advocate General officers, with 25 to serve as special assistant U.S. attorneys in Minneapolis, to support prosecutions related to the immigration surge[7].

Jan 14, 2026 – A federal hearing is set to consider Minnesota’s lawsuit; DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin argues the Constitution supports the surge and accuses state leaders of failing to protect citizens[6].

Jan 14, 2026 – Judge Kate Menendez declines to issue a temporary restraining order against ICE raids, saying she needs more evidence before ruling[13].

Jan 14, 2026 – Judge Katherine Menendez issues a preliminary injunction barring federal agents from retaliating against peaceful protesters, using pepper‑spray or stopping drivers without reasonable suspicion[12].

Jan 14, 2026 – Judge Menendez also limits federal agents from detaining or arresting drivers unless they are “obstructing officers,” reinforcing protections for peaceful demonstrators[15].

Jan 15, 2026 – DHS arrests 12 anti‑ICE protesters in Minneapolis, deploying tear‑gas and percussion grenades near the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building[4].

Jan 16, 2026 – Minnesota files a separate lawsuit tying the ICE surge to the lingering impact of the 2020 unrest, alleging the operation strains an already short‑staffed police force and undermines community trust[3].

Jan 17, 2026 – U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez issues a preliminary injunction that prohibits federal agents from using non‑lethal munitions against peaceful crowds and from stopping vehicles without reasonable suspicion[4][12].

Jan 17, 2026 – The Justice Department opens investigations into Governor Walz and Mayor Frey for alleged obstruction of federal law‑enforcement operations[4].

Jan 17, 2026 – FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche visit Minneapolis; Saint Paul Public Schools announce optional virtual learning for the following week[4].

Jan 19, 2026 – The FBI pivots its civil‑rights probe from the ICE agent to Renee Good’s conduct and the actions of those around her, widening the inquiry[2].

Jan 19, 2026 – The Pentagon orders roughly 1,500 active‑duty soldiers to standby for possible deployment to Minnesota, while the Minnesota National Guard remains mobilized[2].

Jan 19, 2026 – Bruce Springsteen publicly comments on the dispute, and right‑wing influencer Jake Lang is chased away by counter‑demonstrators during a rally[2].

Jan 19, 2026 – DOJ announces it will press charges against protesters who disrupted a St. Paul church where an ICE official serves as pastor[2].

Jan 19, 2026 – Newly obtained video contradicts DHS’s account of the Good shooting, though DHS reiterates its original statement[2].

Jan 21, 2026 – The Pentagon readies a military police brigade from North Carolina for possible deployment to Minnesota, adding to the 1,500 troops already on alert[11].

Jan 21, 2026 – President Trump threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act as protests continue, while Governor Walz and Mayor Frey sue the federal government over ICE operations[11].

Jan 21, 2026 – The Justice Department subpoenas Governor Walz, Mayor Frey and other Democratic officials as part of its investigation into alleged obstruction of federal immigration agents[11].