Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, has remained publicly silent following the disruption of a church service in Minneapolis by anti-ICE protesters over the weekend, despite months of outspoken rhetoric directed at President Trump and federal immigration enforcement during the first year of Trump’s second term in office.
Over the past year, Walz has repeatedly positioned himself as a vocal critic of the Trump administration, amid speculation that he was considering a presidential bid in 2028.
During that period, Walz made a series of public statements sharply criticizing the president and federal authorities.
Those comments included comparisons between President Trump and historical figures associated with authoritarianism, remarks targeting Trump ally Elon Musk, and characterizations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement as an oppressive force.
Walz also made comments that were widely interpreted as referencing rumors about the president’s death, despite the fact that Trump had previously survived two assassination attempts.
Walz continued his criticism even after the Department of Homeland Security increased its presence in Minnesota in connection with ongoing fraud investigations and the fatal shooting of Renee Good.
During that period, the governor publicly described his state as being in conflict with the federal government and urged residents to document and confront ICE agents operating in Minnesota.
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At the same time, Walz announced that he would not seek reelection, saying he intended to focus his attention on opposing the Trump administration.
However, following the disruption of a Minneapolis church service by anti-ICE activists on Sunday, Walz has not issued a public statement addressing the incident.
Governor @GovTimWalz and Mayor @MayorFrey had active X accounts today. No mention so far of a church that was stormed in St. Paul today.
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) January 19, 2026
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, also a Democrat, has likewise not publicly commented on the church disruption.
The incident involved protesters entering a church during a worship service and interrupting the proceedings.
Witness accounts and video circulating online showed congregants, including children, reacting with fear as the disruption unfolded.
The protest occurred amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement in Minnesota and broader national debates surrounding ICE operations.
The silence from state and local leadership has drawn attention because Walz had previously warned that federal immigration authorities could interfere with religious services during the holiday season, including Christmas observances.
No such disruptions by ICE were reported during that time.
The church disruption has been compared by observers to previous incidents in which activist groups entered places of worship to stage protests, including demonstrations at Catholic churches prior to the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
In those cases, the incidents sparked widespread condemnation from political leaders and media outlets.
Critics of Walz argue that his response, or lack thereof, contrasts with how he and other Democratic officials have reacted to federal immigration enforcement actions.
In recent statements, Democratic governors and officials in other states have emphasized prioritizing the safety and security of illegal aliens during enforcement operations.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, for example, said over the weekend that protecting illegal immigrants was a priority for Democratic leadership.
In Minnesota, Walz’s critics say the governor’s past rhetoric toward federal authorities has contributed to an environment in which confrontations with ICE are encouraged rather than discouraged.
They argue that his failure to address the church disruption stands in contrast to how he has previously responded to perceived federal overreach.
Supporters of the governor have not publicly responded to questions about his silence or whether he plans to comment on the incident.
As of publication, no statement had been released by Walz’s office addressing the disruption or condemning the actions of the protesters.
The episode comes as immigration enforcement continues to be a central political issue, with federal authorities carrying out operations targeting criminal illegal immigrants across multiple states.
Those operations have prompted protests and resistance in some jurisdictions, while drawing support from officials who argue that enforcement is necessary for public safety.
Whether Walz will address the church incident remains unclear.
For now, the lack of comment from Minnesota’s top officials has become part of the broader debate over political rhetoric, immigration enforcement, and the role of state leaders in responding to disruptions involving religious institutions.
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