Law enforcement officers detain an individual during an Austin gathering tied to opposition to federal immigration enforcement | Image via Fox News
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) responded Saturday night after multiple arrests were made during an Austin gathering involving anti-enforcement agitators following a fatal ICE-involved shooting in Minnesota, posting on X that “Texas is not Minnesota.”
Texas is not Minnesota. https://t.co/m562tMpKPu
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 11, 2026
The post followed law enforcement action outside the J.J. Pickle Federal Building in Austin, where officers moved in to disperse a crowd and made arrests as tensions escalated.
According to KUT 90.5, at least five people were arrested Saturday night. An Austin Police Department spokesperson told the outlet that pepper balls were deployed and that Texas Department of Public Safety troopers were on scene alongside APD officers. The spokesperson said it was unclear whether APD or state police made the arrests or deployed the crowd-control measures.
Video aired by CBS Austin showed officers advancing into the crowd outside the federal building before those present moved toward Congress Avenue.
Earlier Saturday, roughly 400 people gathered at Austin City Hall in opposition to federal immigration enforcement. Additional gatherings have occurred near the Texas Capitol and other downtown locations in the days following the Minneapolis shooting.
The Austin activity followed the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman who was shot during a federal immigration enforcement encounter in Minneapolis earlier this week. Federal officials have said the incident remains under investigation. The Trump administration has stated that Good posed a threat to agents during the encounter, a characterization disputed by those participating in gatherings across multiple cities.
Abbott’s post came in response to video circulating on social media showing law enforcement charging into the crowd and making arrests. The governor did not provide further comment.
KUT reported that on Friday night, Department of Public Safety troopers arrested one individual for criminal trespassing near the Capitol, though authorities said that person was not participating in the gathering at the time.
Minnesota officials have urged calm as the investigation into the Minneapolis shooting continues. No final findings regarding the use of force have been released.
Austin police and state officials have not released additional details regarding charges stemming from Saturday night’s arrests.