INTERNACIONAL
When anti-ICE clashes trigger federal intervention: Experts explain the constitutional breaking point
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Anti-ICE protesters have surrounded federal agents, Democratic leaders have denounced enforcement operations and tensions in Minneapolis have boiled over, but legal experts say none of it yet crosses the line into a constitutional breakdown or would justify the use of federal emergency powers by President Donald Trump.
Legal analysts say the unrest, while volatile, does not inhibit the federal government’s constitutional authority to enforce immigration law. That threshold would only be crossed if state officials themselves moved to block or materially obstruct federal agents, raising Supremacy Clause concerns.
Ilya Somin, a George Mason University law professor, told Fox News Digital that hindering federal agents’ work, even aggressively, does not rise to that level.
«There is no general principle of law which says that anything that makes the work of federal agents more difficult in any way somehow violates the Constitution,» Somin said.
FEDS SHIFT TO TARGETED IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IN MINNEAPOLIS UNDER HOMAN
Protesters clash with law enforcement after a federal agent shot and killed a man Jan. 24, the second federal-involved shooting in the city during the month, deepening tensions over enforcement operations in Minneapolis. (Arthur Maiorella/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Protesters have taken to the streets of Minneapolis in recent weeks to confront immigration officers during Operation Metro Surge, a federal enforcement effort that has deployed thousands of ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents to Minnesota. During enforcement actions, protesters have at times surrounded ICE agents with shouting, whistles, filming and unruly crowds, creating a tense mix of peaceful demonstrators and coordinated agitators that has occasionally escalated into blockades or violence.
The dynamics at play have centered on two legal principles. On one hand, the anti-commandeering doctrine prevents the federal government from forcing state and local officials to enforce federal law. On the other, obstruction of federal law enforcement is unlawful and could violate the supremacy clause, which says federal law trumps state law when the two are in conflict.
If the state were to pass laws that obstruct federal law enforcement from performing its job duties, that would trigger supremacy clause concerns, Somin said, but he noted that such conditions are not present in Minnesota.
Operation Metro Surge began in December, sending 3,000 immigration agents to Minneapolis and St. Paul. The effort has led to thousands of arrests, but it has spurred resistance from residents and resulted in two high-profile deaths of U.S. citizens at the hands of immigration agents, which fueled further public outrage. The FBI is now investigating those incidents.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz met with Trump border czar Tom Homan as the administration reshuffled federal immigration leadership in the state. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Democratic state leaders, meanwhile, have widely criticized the operation and drawn blame from Republicans for exacerbating tension with their rhetoric. At one point, Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz compared ICE’s presence to the Civil War.
«I mean, is this a Fort Sumter?» Walz told The Atlantic. «It’s a physical assault. It’s an armed force that’s assaulting, that’s killing my constituents, my citizens.»
Asked whether the resistant nature of Minnesota’s Democratic leaders could amount to «nullification,» Somin rejected the idea.
«Nullification is when the state officials themselves resist the enforcement of federal law. If they merely fail to help the feds against private parties, that is something that’s protected by the anti-commandeering principles of the Tenth Amendment,» Somin said.
That hands-off approach has extended beyond rhetoric. Walz has welcomed a reduction in federal personnel but urged a faster drawdown, while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has said the city would not assist with immigration enforcement.
«We were never going to agree, and we have not agreed, to enforce federal immigration law. Why? It’s not our job,» Frey said in a New York Times interview.
As state and local leaders have declined to intervene, opposition to the ICE operation has increasingly taken shape on the ground. Networks of activists have mobilized to confront and monitor federal immigration agents, activity that legal experts distinguish from unlawful, state-led obstruction.
Central to that resistance is Defend the 612, a network of private citizens that has coordinated what activists describe as «ICE watching,» using encrypted messaging apps to track enforcement activity and share information about agents’ movements, according to reporting by the conservative City Journal.
In addition to street confrontations, activists have staged protests at sensitive locations, including a disruption of a church service in St. Paul, where the pastor is also an ICE field director. Several participants, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon, were arrested and charged under a federal statute typically used to protect abortion clinics and pregnancy counseling centers.
TRUMP’S IMMIGRATION VICTORY IN A MINNESOTA COURT IS A WIN FOR ALL LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS
Don Lemon has told Fox News Digital he stands by his reporting. (Don Lemon/YouTube)
Federal authorities have moved to arrest individuals accused of directly impeding immigration enforcement. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced charges against 16 agitators accused of blocking agents, assaulting officers or interfering with enforcement actions, while the Justice Department also charged a Minneapolis man, a self-described Antifa member, with cyberstalking after he allegedly called for attacks on ICE and doxxed a pro-ICE individual.
Even so, legal experts stress that, so far, all the anti-ICE activity falls short of a collapse of federal authority. Hans von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow at Advancing American Freedom, said existing laws already prohibit mob violence and obstruction, adding that Minnesota’s hands-off approach has been «irresponsible» but not illegal.
The DOJ in January subpoenaed Walz, Frey and three others for information on whether they, too, conspired to interfere with ICE’s work. A DOJ spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on the status of that probe.
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Should unrest intensify, the Trump administration has floated the Insurrection Act, a rarely used provision that allows the president to respond to unlawful obstructions of federal authority. The president has said that while it remains an option, it is not currently necessary. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, who is leading immigration operations in Minneapolis, likewise downplayed the impact of anti-ICE agitators.
«You’re not going to stop ICE. You’re not going to stop Border Patrol,» Homan said. «These roadblocks they’re putting up? It’s a joke. It’s not going to work, and it’s only going to get you arrested.»
Ilan Wurman, a Minnesota law professor, said in a podcast that while Trump «probably» could invoke the Insurrection Act, by constitutional standards a president should only call upon the military to enforce federal law as a «last resort.»
Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley spelled out when the Insurrection Act could be appropriate, noting it was deferential to the president.
«The establishment of roadblocks and direct interference with the enforcement of federal laws can support such an invocation,» Turley said. «During the Civil Rights period, opposition to and obstruction of civil rights laws justified the use of military force.»
Still, Turley and others emphasize that the Minnesota protests, as intense and at times chaotic as they’ve been, do not yet meet the criteria for such drastic federal action.
«The promise of some Democratic leaders to arrest and prosecute ICE agents is likely to fail. Roadblocks to bar federal agents would also constitute obstruction and, if supported by the state, would violate the constitutional authority of the federal government,» Turley said.
immigration,minnesota,constitution,executive,law,politics
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Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers are on the cusp of working without pay, and there is no backup plan in place to ensure they don’t miss a check.
During the longest government shutdown in history last year, the White House was able to shift around funding from the GOP’s «big, beautiful bill» to ensure that military service members were paid. But TSA workers won’t get the same treatment.
Over 60,000 TSA workers are set to receive partial paychecks this week for the work they did before funding expired earlier this month. They won’t get another paycheck until Congress can land on a deal to fund the agency.
TSA agents scan luggage at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va. (Valerie Plesch/Getty Images)
And the likelihood of that wrapping sooner rather than later is low.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said that if the Trump administration could «figure out a way to pay government employees, absolutely.»
«I mean, these are people who have jobs and have commitments and have families,» Thune said. «And, you know, it’s going to be really unfortunate if we get to a point where I hope we don’t, where people aren’t getting paid because the Democrats continue to insist on changes to things that are just not feasible or tenable.»
DHS SHUTDOWN EXPLAINED: WHO WORKS WITHOUT PAY, WHAT HAPPENS TO AIRPORTS AND DISASTER RESPONSE
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his caucus have not relented in their position as DHS enters its 14th day of being shut down. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
But a White House official told Fox News Digital in a statement that, like the 43-day shutdown, the Trump administration would be able to transfer funding «to cover certain employees at DHS that were funded by the bill — namely law enforcement and active-duty military such as USCG.»
«TSA has not been part of that, as they have a different funding stream from these other agencies,» the official said.
Republicans believe that a key difference maker in the shutdown could be longer lines at airports and flight cancellations start to stack up as workers go without pay and take time off. A similar scenario played out during the previous shutdown, when cancellations compounded day after day.
«When people start missing paychecks, and you start having disruptions in travel and that sort of thing, it’s going to get more and more painful,» Thune said. «So it’d be nice to fix this before and to avoid all that, but we’ve got to have a partner that actually wants to make a deal.»
DEMOCRATS DEMANDING ICE REFORMS LOSE AIRPORT ESCORTS IN SHUTDOWN THEY TRIGGERED
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., again tried to ram a full-year funding bill to reopen the Department of Homeland Security but was blocked by Senate Democrats for a second time. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The White House and Senate Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have been at odds over finding a compromise deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with hopes for a quick resolution to the ongoing shutdown quickly fading this week.
Both sides have rejected back-and-forth offers over the last two weeks. Senate Democrats argued that, for now, whether the agency would be reopened and TSA workers get paid was in the White House and Republicans’ hands.
Senate Democrats portrayed negotiations as having totally flatlined and put the onus of further conversations on the Trump administration.
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«We told them what our priorities were, they answered with a very, very weak, limited response,» Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said. «And we said, ‘No, this is what our requests were. We made a few changes,’ nothing back.»
When asked if she believed the White House was negotiating in good faith, Murray said, «Not yet.»
But Senate Republicans said that talks were happening on the side among members.
Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., hoped that she could convince enough Senate Democrats to come around and ensure that TSA agents, and others, wouldn’t go without pay for the foreseeable future.
«I am working on talking to people,» Britt said.
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INTERNACIONAL
World leaders split over military action as US-Israel strike Iran in coordinated operation
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World leaders reacted swiftly Saturday after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, exposing a deep divide between governments backing the attack on Iran and those warning the attacks risk a wider regional war.
In a joint statement, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Minister Anita Anand voiced firm support saying, «Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security.» The statement described Iran as «the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East» and stressed it «must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons.»
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also endorsed the action, writing on X, «Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression.» He confirmed Australia supports «the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,» while activating emergency consular measures and urging Australians to leave Iran if safe.
The United Kingdom said Iran «must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.» U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office said he was speaking with the leaders of France and Germany «as part of a series of calls with allies.»
A person holds an image of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Iranian demonstrators protest against the U.S.-Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 28, 2026. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) )
French President Emmanuel Macron warned, «The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security.» He added, «The ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop,» and called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described developments as «perilous,» saying Iran’s «ballistic missile and nuclear programmes… pose a serious threat to global security,» while emphasizing that «Protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority.»
Spain openly rejected the strikes. Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said, «We reject the unilateral military action by the United States and Israel, which represents an escalation and contributes to a more uncertain and hostile international order.»
Meanwhile, Gulf states responded to reported Iranian missile activity.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said, «The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan.» It affirmed «its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries» and warned of «grave consequences resulting from the continued violation of states’ sovereignty and the principles of international law.»
The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defense said the country «was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles,» adding that air defense systems «successfully intercepted a number of missiles.» Authorities said falling debris in a residential area caused «one civilian death of an asian nationality» and material damage.
The ministry called the attack «a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the safety of civilians and undermines stability,» and stated the UAE «reserves its full right to respond.»
UN’S ATOMIC AGENCY’S IRAN POLICY GETS MIXED REVIEWS FROM EXPERTS AFTER US-ISRAEL ‘OBLITERATE’ NUCLEAR SITES
Smoke rises after reported Iranian missile attacks, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 28, 2026. (Reuters)
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar «strongly condemned the unwarranted attacks against Iran» and called for «urgent resumption of diplomacy.»
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held calls with counterparts across the region, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source told Reuters. The discussions focused on «possible steps to be taken to help bring an end to the attacks.»
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy directly linked the developments to Russia’s war against his country.
«Although Ukrainians never threatened Iran, the Iranian regime chose to become Putin’s accomplice and supplied him with ‘shahed’ drones,» Zelenskyy wrote, adding that Russia has used «more than 57,000 shahed-type attack drones against the Ukrainian people.»
«It is important that the United States is acting decisively,» he said. «Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken.»
Russia sharply criticized the operation. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said, «All negotiations with Iran are a cover operation.»
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An interception is visible in the sky over Haifa during the latest barrage. (Anthony Hershko/TPS-IL)
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned, «We will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity.»
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the strike «is not in line with international law.»
Reuters contributed to this report.
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iran,us,israel,donald trump,wars,bombings,united nations,europe,middle east,russia,volodymyr zelenskyy,united kingdom,the european union
Dos detonaciones han estremecido la capital iraní este sábado por la mañana. “El Estado de Israel lanzó un ataque preventivo contra Irán. El ministro de Defensa, Israel Katz, declaró el estado de emergencia especial e inmediato en todo el país”, indicó la oficina del ministro en un comunicado.
Según periodistas de AFP presentes en el lugar, el sonido de las explosiones se percibió con claridad, mientras columnas de humo emergían tanto en el centro como en el este de Teherán. “La naturaleza de las explosiones sugiere que se trata de un ataque con misiles”, señaló la agencia de prensa Fars.
El Ministerio de Defensa de Israel informó este sábado que lanzó un “ataque preventivo” contra Irán, mientras sonaban sirenas de emergencia en Jerusalén y la población recibía alertas telefónicas sobre una amenaza “extremadamente grave” en todo el país. Estados Unidos también inició ataques “de gran envergadura” contra Irán, y Trump afirmó a la población que “la hora de su libertad está al alcance de la mano”.
Por otra parte, la agencia Isna informó que una de las columnas de humo se observaba cerca del emblemático barrio Pasteur, en cuya zona se localizan tanto la residencia el ayatollah Ali Khamenei, como la sede presidencial, lo que subraya la sensibilidad estratégica del área.
El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, ofreció este sábado a los dirigentes militares del régimen iraní la opción de recibir “inmunidad” o enfrentarse una “muerte segura”.
Las autoridades israelíes anunciaban poco después la detección de “misiles lanzados desde Irán”, precedidos por sirenas que sonaban en distintas áreas del país. Enviaban debido a esto un mensaje a los teléfonos móviles de los ciudadanos urgiéndolos a buscar refugio. Poco después, ya se habían reportado las primeras explosiones sobre Jerusalén, según la AFP. En Teherán, un importante dispositivo de las fuerzas iraníes de seguridad bloquean varias calles alrededor del barrio en el que se encuentra la residencia del Ayatollah Jamenei.
También se han escuchado sirenas sobre Amman, capital de Jordania, cuya dirección de seguridad pública advierte: “El significado de las sirenas será el siguiente: tres sirenas intermitentes indican que hay una amenaza, y una sola sirena significa que la amenaza ha pasado. Cuando escuche las tres sirenas, debe refugiarse en el edificio más cercano hasta que la amenaza haya pasado”. La respuesta de Irán, por el momento, incluye ataques contra los Emiratos Árabes Unidos, Catar, Baréin, Kuwait y Arabia Saudita.
Los bombardeos fueron confirmados por el Ministerio de Defensa israelí y el presidente Donald Trump. El país hebreo declaró el estado de emergencia y el cierre de su espacio aéreo
Civil Conflict,Demonstrations,Riots,Europe,Civil Unrest
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