Pardoned 6th January Rioter Jake Lang Arrested for Kicking 'Prosecute ICE' Sculpture

A provocative ice sculpture spelling out 'Prosecute ICE' was vandalised at the Minnesota State Capitol on Thursday, just hours after it featured in a veterans' news conference. The artwork, commissioned by the organisation Common Defense, was destroyed when Jake Lang, a pardoned participant in the 6 January 2021, US Capitol insurrection, kicked several letters to the ground, transforming the message to 'Pro ICE.'

Lang shared a video of the act on social media, leading to his swift arrest on a felony charge in Ramsey County. The incident has sparked outrage among veterans and advocates, highlighting tensions over federal immigration enforcement and free speech.

The sculpture was displayed on the Capitol steps as part of a demonstration urging Congress to de-fund the Department of Homeland Security and prosecute Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for alleged constitutional violations. Veterans posed alongside it around noon, voicing concerns about Operation Metro Surge, a federal crackdown in Minnesota. They advocated for state legislation allowing individuals improperly detained to sue federal agents, emphasising accountability for rights infringements.

Jake Lang's Background

Jake Lang, 29, gained notoriety for his role in the 6 January riots at the US Capitol, where he was among those charged with assaulting officers. Pardoned by former President Donald Trump in late 2024, Lang has since positioned himself as a political figure, running as a candidate for the US Senate in Florida.

He recently organised an anti-Islam demonstration in Minneapolis, drawing criticism for inflammatory rhetoric. Lang's actions at the Capitol sculpture align with his vocal support for conservative causes, though he claimed the destruction was a form of counter-protest.

His self-posted video captured the moment, showing him altering the message before announcing his arrest on X, formerly Twitter.

Veterans' Outrage and Calls for Accountability

Common Defense, a progressive veterans' group, condemned the vandalism as an assault on the First Amendment. Jacob Thomas, the organisation's communication director and a former military member, told MPR News: 'I gave eight years of my life in service to this country in the military. For a 6 January insurrectionist to destroy our display is an attack on the First Amendment veterans like me fought to defend.'

Thomas reiterated demands to prosecute federal agents involved in the recent killings of Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, linking the sculpture's message to broader justice issues.

During the news conference, US Marine veteran Peter McKenzie emphasised constitutional duty: 'As a United States Marine, I swore an oath to the Constitution, not a political party; not an agency, the Constitution. Peaceful protest is not extremism. It is a moral obligation when power stops policing itself.' State Representative Jamie Long, a Democrat from Minneapolis, joined the veterans, supporting legislation for legal recourse against federal overreach.

Broader Implications of Lang's Deed

The destruction underscores escalating debates over immigration policy and protest rights in Minnesota. Common Defense's campaign targets perceived abuses by ICE, including unlawful detentions, and seeks to empower affected individuals through lawsuits.

Lang's involvement, as a pardoned rioter, raises questions about accountability for those with controversial pasts engaging in public disruptions. Authorities have not released further details on Lang's charges, but the felony allegation suggests potential serious consequences, including fines or imprisonment.