For years, the Trump administration has claimed that anti-ICE protesters in Minnesota are “paid agitators.” That narrative appeared hypocritical after protesters uncovered someone posing as one of their own. At first, many assumed the individual had been planted by federal agents. However, as more details emerged, a growing number of people claimed he was actually sent by the Hennepin County Sheriff. In a video capturing the confrontation, the man can be seen on the ground, surrounded by a large group of protesters. As tensions rose, one person repeatedly urged the crowd to de-escalate, saying, “Let him up.” Another voice shouted, “Get your [expletive] up,” just before several people helped the man to his feet.
Despite the situation, the Minnesota protesters did not appear to treat the man harshly. After helping him to his feet, one protester even made sure he did not slip on the ice. At the same time, someone in the crowd could be heard repeatedly saying, “he is one of us.” That claim soon proved to be false.
Moments later, a white van pulled up to the area, and several men in tactical gear stepped out. They appeared to be deputies. The men ordered protesters to back away as they moved in to shield the individual. That intervention quickly made it clear the man was not who he claimed to be. The officers carefully guided him toward the van and helped him inside, then slowly backed away while staring down the protesters before entering the vehicle themselves. The van then drove off. It remains unclear how the protesters initially discovered that the man was a plant.
People Reacting to the Fake Protester In Minnesota
Many people were understandably upset by the revelation that a fake protester had infiltrated the Minnesota demonstration. With Trump and many of his supporters frequently claiming that anti-ICE protesters are paid, one person reacted by writing, “More MAGA projection.” Another commenter said the video itself made it obvious the man was only pretending to be part of the protest by writing,
I have never seen a single video in the past few months of federal agents helping a civilian. This is an obvious plant. Note how fast that van shows up and they get out to escort him away in one fluid motion. Also, why is a sheriff in the van with federal agents? He’s the first one out. Edit: as u/totallybag points out, it looks like these are all sheriff. At least their patches that are visible say that
As some initially believed the men who intervened were federal agents, others were quick to point out that they were actually local deputies. “Are we sure these aren’t Hennepin County Sheriff deputies?” one person asked. Another replied simply, “They are.”
The revelation led others to call out what they saw as clear hypocrisy. One commenter wrote, “Oh cool. Turns out they’ve been right about paid/professional agitators all along…just not so much about who’s paying them…” Many viewers were left hoping that the man had not intended to provoke trouble or make the protesters look bad.
