MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minneapolis man, Kyle Wagner, 37, was arrested on Thursday after being charged with cyberstalking and making threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers as tensions escalate surrounding immigration policies in Minnesota.
Federal prosecutors announced that the complaint had been filed in Michigan, despite the incidents occurring in Minneapolis, raising questions about jurisdiction. Wagner allegedly encouraged violence against the officers and identified them as 'gestapo' and 'murderers' in social media posts.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi claimed Wagner, who reportedly associates with antifa, incited his followers to confront federal officers actively. The recent announcements by President Trump to label antifa as a 'major terrorist organization' highlight the broader implications of Wagner's actions.
The complaint revealed Wagner's aggressive online behavior, where he urged followers to physically engage with federal officers and even doxed a pro-ICE individual by disclosing their personal information online.
Wagner's advocacy for violence reflects a growing divide in communities grappling with immigration policies, especially after the abrupt withdrawal of about 700 federal officers from enforcement operations in Minnesota.
This case adds to the legal challenges facing the Justice Department in Minnesota, which is reportedly dealing with an overwhelming influx of immigration-related litigation amidst increasing frustration among prosecutors.
