Minneapolis is at the center of a heated controversy as JD Vance faces accusations of spreading falsehoods about a confrontation involving federal immigration agents.

Following the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, on a recent Sunday, Vance posted on social media about an incident involving two off-duty ICE and Border Patrol officers in Minneapolis, claiming they were mobbed by protesters at a restaurant, locked inside, and ignored by local police, while the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offer differing accounts of the event, including the duration of the confrontation and the response from local law enforcement.

Details of the Disputed Incident Emerge

The issue has sparked intense debate over accountability and the role of local authorities in supporting federal agents.

According to the Daily Mail, Vance, after hearing the story during a roundtable with immigration officers during a visit to Minneapolis last week, described the event as "crazy" and claimed the officers were trapped by a mob of 30 to 50 agitators after being doxed online.

He further alleged that local police refused to assist, supposedly under direction from city officials, until fellow federal agents stepped in to help.

Conflicting Accounts on Police Response

The MPD firmly disputes Vance’s narrative, calling it inaccurate and insisting they monitored the situation closely.

A public information officer from MPD told Politico, "MPD monitored the situation and determined that the federal agents had sufficient resources available to manage the incident," suggesting no additional intervention was deemed necessary.

Records cited by a local officer also indicate the agents left the area within roughly 15 minutes of the initial emergency call, a far cry from a prolonged siege.

DHS Report Adds Another Layer

The DHS report, detailing the incident from the agents’ perspective, notes that on January 19, a masked individual identified their vehicle as ICE property and accused them of being federal personnel at a restaurant in southwest Minneapolis.

According to the report, around 30 individuals soon gathered, and a woman blocked the restaurant doors, briefly preventing the agents’ exit, though the encounter lasted under 10 minutes.

Yet, DHS backs Vance’s account, stating his depiction aligns with their understanding, while noting local police did not respond during the brief standoff.

Questions Linger on Local Accountability

Sgt. Garrett Parten of MPD added that they were later informed one of the agents’ vehicles was left behind, and officers ensured its safety until it could be retrieved.

While MPD pats itself on the back for babysitting a parked car, one wonders if its energy might have been better spent ensuring the safety of federal agents facing a hostile crowd in real time.

This incident, set against the backdrop of public outrage over the fatal shooting of two Americans during a federal immigration crackdown, paints a troubling picture of local-federal cooperation—or the lack thereof—in Minneapolis.