About Minneapolis - Fairfax Braver Angels Monthly Meeting

Braver Angels holds workshops, debates, and public presentations designed to bridge the political divide we are experiencing in our country. Our events help conservatives, liberals, and independents get past stereotypes and have civil conversations about current issues, helping open the way to productive problem-solving, mutual respect and understanding. We have an exciting discussion planned for February and we hope you will join us.

It’s been only a month in 2026 and it seems that everyday there is some news or the other that sparks more controversy and creates more polarization than ever before.

A Case in Point:

In Minnesota, current events—specifically Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale federal immigration enforcement operation—have sparked a significant constitutional crisis involving the Second Amendment, the rule of law, and freedom of speech.

1. Second Amendment (Right to Bear Arms)

The fatal shootings of Renee Good, a mother of two, and Alex Pretti, a nurse and concealed-carry permit holder, by federal agents in January 2026, has put the role of ICE, Freedom of Speech and Assembly, the Rule of Law and the Second Amendment at the center of the conflict.

• The Conflict: Administration officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel, argued that carrying a firearm with multiple magazines to a protest implies violent intent and is not a protected right.
• The Backlash: Gun rights groups like the National Association for Gun Rights and the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus have condemned these statements, noting that Minnesota law explicitly allows permit holders to carry at protests. They argue that exercising one right (First Amendment protest) does not negate another (Second Amendment self-defense).

2. Freedom of Speech and Assembly

The ACLU of Minnesota and other advocates allege that federal agents are systematically suppressing dissent through force and targeted arrests.

• Renee Good: The January 2026 killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis raises critical constitutional issues regarding the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition on excessive force and unreasonable seizure. It tests the limits of federal officer immunity, specifically challenging claims of "absolute immunity" under the Supremacy Clause. The case also spotlights the lack of legal mechanisms for holding federal agents accountable for violating civil rights.
• Journalist Arrests: On January 30, 2026, journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were arrested on federal charges related to their coverage of an anti-ICE protest at a church.
• A Chilling Effect? Organizations like FIRE argue that federal investigations and grand jury subpoenas of state officials (including Governor Tim Walz) are intended to "chill" speech and discourage citizens from observing or filming law enforcement.

3. The Rule of Law

The "rule of law" is currently being tested through a jurisdictional battle between state and federal authorities.

• Federalism and the 10th Amendment: Minnesota's Attorney General and a coalition of cities have filed a lawsuit alleging that the federal government is "commandeering" local resources and violating the 10th Amendment by bypassing state authority.
• Accountability: Groups such as the Society for the Rule of Law have criticized the administration for "dismissing core constitutional rights" and failing to provide evidence for claims that protesters are engaging in "riots" to justify the use of force.

Some Crises Make Strange Bedfellows:

The situation in Minnesota has become a notable crossover issue, creating an unusual alliance between progressives, libertarians, and mainstream conservatives who are increasingly uncomfortable with the federal government's tactics.

Traditionally, gun rights are a conservative priority, but the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents has caused a rift. Groups like the Gun Owners of America and the National Association for Gun Rights joined progressives in criticizing the administration, arguing that a lawful gun owner should not be criminalized for exercising their rights during a protest.

Republican governors have joined Democratic counterparts to urge federal accountability, arguing that the operation is a test case for federal "retribution" that could eventually target any state.

Both sides have condemned the use of warrantless raids, the arrest of journalists, and the prevention of state investigators from accessing federal crime scenes.

Libertarians and progressive legal advocates (like those at the Public Rights Project) are unified in the belief that the federal government is "unconstitutionally coercing" local law enforcement and schools to serve a federal immigration agenda. Meanwhile, Republican-leaning pollster Cygnal reports that deportation and ICE are overwhelmingly supported by voters.

So, where do we go from here? While we, as individuals, can exercise our freedom of speech and participate in protests to advocate change, real change will require action from Congress. And we can do our part in telling Congress exactly what we think!

What We Hope to Accomplish this Evening:

After some brief introductions, we will breakout into groups (how many will depend on the number of attendees) to discuss this issue.The groups will be chosen randomly (as this is a crossover issue) and will report back to answer this question: What would you convey to your Member of Congress about Minneapolis?

Time:

• Introductions - 10 minutes
• Discussions - 60 minutes
• Report Back - 30 minutes
• Closeout and Next Steps - 10 minutes

Where and When:

Date: Tuesday February 10, 2026
Time: 7:00pm (doors open at 6:30 – snacks and mingling)
Venue: McLean Governmental Center
1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101

For questions, message Jennifer Ibarra or email fairfax-va@braverangels.org. We hope to see you there!

If you like you may also register on Eventbrite, though registering on both platforms is not necessary.

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