Republican Speaker of the House and gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth (Cold Spring) is blaming Governor Tim Walz for the current ramp up of federal activity in the state, and deflecting other questions about the ICE operation.
WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman tried repeatedly to get Demuth to respond on the record to what's happening in Minnesota.
"Do you want the president to invoke the Insurrection Act," asked Hartman. "I think that's that's an important question to get you on the record."
"You know, I don't know, getting me on the record or not, what I will say is we need peace in Minnesota here," Demuth responded, and would not say if she supports sending military personnel into Minnesota to stop the protests.
Demuth made history in Minnesota as the first Black person, the first woman from the Republican party, and the first person of color to become Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
She grew up in South Minneapolis, and Hartman asked what she thinks of people being pulled over because of skin color, as repeatedly has taken place since federal immigration agents have come to the Twin Cities.
Sec. of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, doubled down on that practice Thursday, telling reporters at the White House that everyone should be prepared to show their identification, even just being in the area where ICE officers are operating.
"In every situation we are doing targeted enforcement," Noem said. "If we are on a target, there may be individuals surrounding that criminal that we may be asking who they are and why they're there and having them validate their identity."
U.S. law states that you do not have to carry proof of citizenship, and law enforcement - federal or local - can’t demand it without lawful cause. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers cannot conduct indiscriminate searches. Generally, they need "reasonable suspicion" to briefly detain and question someone about their immigration status, or "probable cause" to make an arrest.
Demuth says she would hand over her ID, and then ask why.
"I am not going to inflame a situation. I don't know what may be going on around me that maybe has prompted that, but that is my individual responsibility and how I would handle that," answered the speaker.
A Supreme Court decision made last September did give federal officials, at that time in Southern California, more freedom to question people during what they described as "roving patrols." But Trump-appointed Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in a concurring opinion:
“To be clear, apparent ethnicity alone cannot furnish reasonable suspicion; under this court’s case law regarding immigration stops, however, it can be a ‘relevant factor’ when considered along with other salient factors," Kavanaugh explained.
For Demuth, the blame for what it taking place lies directly on Gov. Walz, who she says could have allowed local police to help capture any illegal and violent criminals in the state, and not put Minnesota in this situation.
WCCO reported on Thursday that Walz has planned to reach out to President Donald Trump in an effort to "reverse course and turn down the temperature."
Demuth deflected when pressed about whether or not Walz should meet with Trump.
"I cannot speak to whether or not Governor Walz and President Trump should speak," she said.
So far at least, it appears no conversation between the two has happened, although White House Press Sec. Karolina Leavitt did say Thursday the president would be willing to speak to Walz.
Demuth also issued a statement yesterday, calling for Governor Walz to work with the federal government on ICE enforcement.
Last night in Scott County, another GOP straw poll for Governor took place. Demuth won the suburban county, with local attorney Chris Madel second, businessman Kendall Qualls third, and MyPillow CEO/founder Mike Lindell fourth.