ICE agents swiftly arrest a giraffe-costumed anti-deportation protester in Minneapolis, exposing the absurd lengths leftists will go to obstruct President Trump’s vital border security efforts.
Story Snapshot
- Comedian Rob Potylo, aka Robby Roadsteamer, arrested January 12, 2026, outside Whipple Federal Building for blocking traffic during anti-ICE protest.
- Agents used force amid ~100 demonstrators; Potylo released next day, claims injuries and plans lawsuit against ICE.
- Protests escalated after ICE agent’s fatal shooting of volunteer Renee Nicole Good, whom DHS Secretary Kristi Noem called a domestic terrorist.
- Incident highlights ongoing clashes at ICE detention center, with federal agents defending property against disruptive mobs.
Arrest Unfolds Amid Anti-ICE Chaos
On January 12, 2026, ICE agents arrested comedian and activist Rob Potylo, known as Robby Roadsteamer, outside the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis. Potylo wore a giraffe costume while dancing and singing anti-ICE songs with about 100 protesters, including one in a frog costume. Agents cited him for blocking traffic on the protesters’ side of the street. Video shows agents forcing him to the ground as demonstrators shouted he stayed within the property line, defined as the street’s middle. Federal authorities enforced order at the ICE detention center housing immigration court operations.
Escalation Follows Fatal Shooting
Tensions surged after ICE agent Ilan Albarran shot Renee Nicole Good, a volunteer monitoring protests, on January 9. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated Good attempted to ram the officer, labeling her a domestic terrorist. Minnesota officials and protesters countered with video evidence showing the vehicle turning away, deeming the shooting unjustified. Protests intensified outside the Whipple Building at Fort Snelling, where agents previously deployed tear gas, pepper balls, and barricades against demonstrators opposing deportations. Potylo traveled from out of state to join these confrontations.
Protester’s Release and Legal Threats
Potylo secured release from federal custody on January 13. He posted on Instagram detailing leg, arm, and back injuries from the arrest, vowing to sue ICE for excessive force despite the minor traffic citation. Protesters claimed overreach, noting others blocked traffic without arrest. ICE maintained operations amid barricades, prioritizing enforcement of immigration laws under President Trump’s directive to secure the homeland. Potylo’s history includes nationwide anti-Trump protests, underscoring patterns of performative obstruction.
Local residents faced collateral effects, including tear gas exposure and vehicle damage from prior clashes. A separate incident saw agents pepper-spray another protester near the property line. These events polarize views on law enforcement versus protester civil liberties claims.
Implications for Border Enforcement
Short-term fallout includes heightened protest volatility and potential lawsuits challenging ICE tactics. Long-term, incidents bolster defenses of agent actions amid threats, aligning with Trump’s mass deportation push—over 675,000 criminal removals achieved. JD Vance dismissed such protests as “cowardly bullsh*t,” reflecting conservative support for prioritizing American safety over illegal immigration chaos. Optics of costumed arrests aid activist narratives but highlight disruptions from open-border advocates. ICE’s resolve under Noem protects communities from fiscal burdens of unchecked migration.
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Anti-ICE protester dressed in giraffe costume is released from custody
ICE agents arrest protester dressed as a giraffe
