Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) claimed Tuesday that Politico reporter Josh Gerstein was “inciting violence against federal agents.”
Gerstein, a senior legal affairs reporter at the outlet, said Monday on the social platform X, “At some point, the amateur effort to knock on doors of home daycares intersects with robust stand-your-ground laws.”
The post referred to the ongoing federal investigation into alleged fraud within Minnesota’s social services programs, and laws that allow people to “stand their ground” and defend themselves or homes with the use of deadly force.
ICE responded by saying on X, “You would think a ‘Senior Legal Affairs Reporter’ for POLITICO would know better than to tweet something inciting violence against federal agents.”
The Hill has reached out to Politico for comment.
After ICE posted its accusation, Gerstein said on X that “to observe that something is likely to happen or there’s a serious risk of it happening is not to advocate for it happening.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has dispatched investigative agents to Minneapolis as part of its probe into alleged fraud in the North Star State. DHS said Tuesday on X that it is inspecting day cares, health care facilities and “other suspected sites.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said Monday on X that the Department of Justice has charged 98 people in connection with the sweeping probe.
Earlier this month, Assistant U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Joseph Thompson told reporters it is possible that “half or more” of the $18 billion billed to 14 programs under Minnesota’s Department of Human Services since 2018 is fraudulent.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), meanwhile, has ordered a third-party audit of the 14 services, including the shuttered Housing Stabilization Services program, and appointed a director of program integrity to investigate the issue.
He also said on X earlier this month that his administration “will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure fraud is stopped and fraudsters are caught.”
Minnesota does not have a stand your ground law, which allows for individuals to use deadly force for self-defense in public.
Minnesota state law says that people in their homes are not required to retreat and can use deadly force to prevent a felony from occurring inside, while the Minnesota Supreme Court has affirmed that people do not have a duty to retreat outside their home.
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