The scene outside a Maple Grove hotel on Monday marked yet another escalation in Minnesota's ongoing unrest over the Trump administration's controversial immigration enforcement efforts. What began as a protest quickly devolved into a chaotic confrontation with law enforcement, as demonstrators gathered outside the SpringHill Suites by Marriott — reportedly where U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino was staying — before police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.
According to Maple Grove police, the situation turned volatile when agitators began throwing objects and damaging property, pushing officers to intervene. Multiple arrests followed. “At that point, the activity was no longer considered peaceful,” the department said in a statement. “Individuals participating in criminal acts are not protected under the First Amendment and were subject to arrest.”
🚨 NOW: DHS agents are CRACKING BEERS in the window of the hotel leftist rioters are terrorizing tonight in Minnesota
LFG, PATRIOTS!
Is there a fund I can donate beer money to? 🤣🍻 pic.twitter.com/BkGna4CT1r
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 27, 2026
Officers from several agencies — including the Minnesota State Patrol, Department of Natural Resources, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and Hennepin Public Order Group — were called in to support Maple Grove police, highlighting the seriousness with which authorities are treating these increasingly combustible demonstrations.
This incident comes amid a broader reshuffling of federal leadership in Minneapolis as the White House seeks to stabilize a fast-moving crisis. Commander Bovino, whose presence in the city sparked the hotel protest, is reportedly being reassigned following public outcry over his unverified claims that Alex Pretti — the U.S. citizen fatally shot by Border Patrol agents over the weekend — intended to “massacre” law enforcement.
All of a sudden local cops are out there with the four foot batons like they could have been for the last month and the Feds are in hotel cracking beers and watching the show. 😂
Ok; that’s it… Back to work everyone arresting illegal immigrants and fraudsters. https://t.co/XDBameq1uf
— BKactual (@BravoKiloActual) January 27, 2026
That narrative was swiftly rebuked, not just by the public, but by the administration itself. Homeland Security has denied reports that Bovino was removed from his post, although sources confirm his access to social media was revoked after his comments.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to calm the storm, stating, “I have not heard the president characterize Mr. Pretti that way,” distancing the administration from more extreme labels used by officials like Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Advisor Stephen Miller, who referred to Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” and “would-be assassin,” respectively.
The incident that set this chain of events in motion — the killing of 37-year-old Alex Pretti — remains under intense scrutiny. Pretti, an ICU nurse and American citizen, was recording federal agents during an immigration raid when he was reportedly sprayed, knocked down, and beaten. Moments later, agents removed a handgun from his waistband and opened fire. His death followed the ICE-involved shooting of Renee Nicole Good earlier this month, further inflaming public anger.
