Ron Johnson rips Keith Ellison over anti-ICE protests: ‘You encouraged it’

WASHINGTON, DC: A tense confrontation erupted on Capitol Hill Thursday when Republican Sen Ron Johnson accused Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison of encouraging anti-immigration protests that he said put federal officers and demonstrators in danger.

The clash unfolded during a hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, as lawmakers examined public safety concerns tied to protests and immigration enforcement. Johnson repeatedly suggested Ellison’s rhetoric had emboldened activists to obstruct actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a claim Ellison forcefully rejected

Ron Johnson accuses Keith Ellison of encouraging anti-ICE protesters

Johnson pressed Ellison about recent demonstrations in Minnesota, asking whether the attorney general ever worried that his words could motivate supporters to interfere with lawful enforcement operations.

"Were you ever concerned about encouraging people that support you to go out and put themselves into harm’s way by impeding and obstructing a legal law enforcement action?” Johnson asked.

Ellison responded that he had never encouraged obstruction and maintained that his office consistently advocates for peaceful, lawful protest.

“Sir, that never happened,” Ellison said. “At all times we said if you want to protest, protest peacefully, protest safely. But you’ll never find me being against the First Amendment. I’ll always be for the First Amendment." 

Johnson countered that officers had faced dangerous situations, including vehicles being rammed and rocks thrown during demonstrations.

“I can’t imagine encouraging somebody that supported me politically to go and put themselves into harm’s way,” Johnson said, describing some protesters as “trained activists." 

Ron Johnson calls Keith Ellison’s demeanor ‘despicable’

As the exchange continued, Johnson grew visibly frustrated, accusing Ellison of bearing responsibility for escalating tensions.

“So now you’re an ICE officer, you’re doing enforcement action, you’ve got a team behind you trying to protect you, you’ve got all these trained activists behind you,” Johnson said. “Is there any wonder a tragedy was going to happen? And you encouraged it. And you ought to feel damn guilty about it.”

Johnson then took aim at Ellison’s expression during the exchange.

“Yeah. Sit there and smirk. Smirk. It’s sick. It is despicable,” he said.

Ellison pushed back, calling Johnson’s remarks inaccurate and politically motivated.

“Are you asking me for comment, Senator?” Ellison said. “Because everything you said was untrue. It was a nice theatrical performance, but it was all lies.”

The Minnesota attorney general reiterated that neither he nor state officials had supported violence or unlawful conduct, emphasizing that peaceful protest is protected under the Constitution.

The sharp exchange underscored broader national divisions over immigration enforcement, public demonstrations, and how elected officials should speak about both.