In brief
In a rare instance of accountability for federal officers, Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., an ICE agent, has been charged with two counts of second-degree aggravated assault. The charges stem from an incident in which he allegedly brandished his firearm at civilians while driving an unmarked SUV on a Minneapolis highway. This marks potentially the first criminal charge against a federal immigration officer during the Trump administration's immigration policy enforcement, raising questions about federal and state law enforcement collaboration.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An ICE agent is charged with assault for allegedly pointing his gun at people in a car while driving on a Minneapolis highway, according to Minnesota prosecutors.
The arrest warrant in Hennepin County, which encompasses Minneapolis, identifies Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. as facing two counts of second-degree aggravated assault. The incident allegedly occurred on February 5, during which Morgan, serving as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, pointed his firearm at the occupants of another vehicle on Minnesota State Highway 62.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty indicated that this case might be unprecedented, marking the first criminal charge against a federal immigration officer linked to the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration enforcement, which has seen federal authorities intensifying their presence in various cities.
The Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department have not commented on the charges against Morgan. Attempts to reach Morgan through provided contact details were unsuccessful.
Moriarty explained in a press conference that Morgan drove a rented, unmarked SUV in a manner that prompted another vehicle to attempt to slow him down, unaware of his status as a federal officer. Following the incident, Morgan allegedly drew his weapon and shouted “Police Stop,” although the victims could not hear him due to their closed windows.
Charged with two counts of assault for threatening both individuals in the other car, Morgan currently has a warrant for his arrest. The charges signal a potential intensification of the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and Minnesota officials over immigration enforcement policies. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has preemptively warned that any arrests of federal agents performing their duties can lead to investigations and prosecutions against those responsible.
Moriarty remains resolute about the accountability of federal agents, stating, 'There is no such thing as absolute immunity for federal agents who violate the law in Minnesota.' If convicted, Morgan could face up to seven years in prison, or ten years should the charges involve significant bodily harm.
The Department of Homeland Security previously deployed approximately 3,000 federal officers to Minneapolis-St. Paul in what was labeled the largest immigration enforcement operation in history, resulting in thousands of arrests and significant public outcry. This episode further complicates the already tense relationship between federal agents and local authorities, particularly among communities feeling the brunt of aggressive enforcement tactics.
