Masked protester tells Laura Ingraham she’s ‘getting paid’ at anti-ICE rally

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: A tense exchange during anti-ICE demonstrations in Minneapolis drew national attention after a masked protester told Fox News host Laura Ingraham that she was “getting paid” to be at the rally. The moment unfolded on camera as Ingraham reported live from outside the Whipple Federal Building amid escalating unrest.

The protests erupted following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good during an encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, with conflicting accounts from federal and state officials fueling public anger and demonstrations across the city.

Masked protester makes 'getting paid' claim on camera

The interaction occurred as Ingraham approached a masked demonstrator moving through the crowd while shouting insults and profanity at federal officers and passersby. Ingraham asked the woman whether she had a job.

“I’m getting paid right now,” the protester replied. It remained unclear whether the comment was meant seriously or sarcastically, and no evidence was offered to support the claim.

When asked why her face was covered, the woman responded that her “nose is cold,” declining to elaborate further before disengaging from the exchange.

Laura Ingraham reports hostility toward media at protest

Ingraham later described an increasingly hostile environment for journalists attempting to report from the scene. She said members of the media who tried to ask demonstrators questions were frequently pushed out of protest areas.

“If you actually go into the mix and try to chat with people, you end up getting escorted out,” Ingraham said during her broadcast, describing the crowd control as firm but not overtly violent.

She added that when she and her crew eventually left the area, protesters lined the street and raised their middle fingers as the vehicle drove away.

Renee Nicole Good shooting sparks conflicting accounts

The protests followed the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman killed during an ICE enforcement operation. The Department of Homeland Security said Good attempted to “weaponize her vehicle” and strike federal agents.

Minnesota officials disputed that account, saying video footage appeared to show Good attempting to flee rather than posing an imminent threat. Those disagreements intensified calls for an independent investigation into the shooting.

Minneapolis protests spread as tensions rise

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Minneapolis and other cities, with demonstrations intensifying around federal buildings and ICE facilities. Some protests remained peaceful, while others escalated into confrontations with law enforcement and media.

The unrest prompted comparisons to the protests that followed George Floyd’s death in 2020, which placed Minneapolis at the center of a national debate over policing and protest tactics.

Schools close as city braces for unrest

As demonstrations continued, Minneapolis Public Schools announced class cancellations, citing safety concerns across the city. Several businesses also closed temporarily, either out of fear of unrest or in solidarity with protesters.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said the National Guard was prepared to deploy if conditions worsened, though no immediate deployment was announced.

Jacob Frey criticizes ICE response

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey sharply criticized ICE, accusing the agency of escalating tensions and inflaming public anger.

“They’re sowing chaos on our streets and in this case, quite literally killing people,” Frey said, calling on federal agents to leave the city as protests continued.