Todd Blanche suggests fraud network fueled anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis
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Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said federal investigators had uncovered a “massive underground fraud network” in Minneapolis and suggested it fueled a sudden, coordinated push to remove ICE from the city.
“There was a massive scam going on all over Minneapolis, all over Minnesota, and suddenly the tables turned. It almost turned on a dime, and suddenly it all became about ICE, it was all about ICE being taken out and how terrible shape ICE was,” Blanche said on “The Ingraham Angle” on Monday.
“[We had] “We had a very strong response when we put our hands up and said ‘stop,’ so yes, we have multiple ongoing investigations.”
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Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche arrives for a press conference with President Donald Trump at the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on August 11, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Blanche also highlighted the financial aspects of the case, noting that investigators were making “progress” in tracking fund flows linked to the alleged network. Blanche said solving these money trails is a priority for federal law enforcement, although he did not name specific people or sources.
“This isn’t something we’re going to do overnight,” he said, “But… this isn’t just something we’re going to do overnight.” [a] “It’s a coincidence that these large numbers of protesters, rioters and agitators showed up at the same time and pushed back what was a profit center for crooks.”
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents continue to conduct immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, Minn., on Thursday, Jan. 28. (Madison Thorn/Anatolia via Getty Images)
Blanche’s comments come at a time of rising tensions between ICE and the public in the Twin Cities, as immigration enforcement actions have sparked protests, public outcry and intensified scrutiny of the agency’s role in the region.
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These tensions intensified after two civilians — Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti — were fatally shot by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis last month, sparking widespread demonstrations and national debate over the scope and conduct of federal immigration enforcement operations.
