"Actions Have Consequences" — But Only for Some
MN-06 Daily: January 30, 2026
Rep. Tom Emmer posted 17 times and made two Fox News appearances in the last 24 hours. He had a lot to say about Minnesota.
Most of it inflammatory.
907 days since his last in-person town hall.
The Tweet
On Friday morning, former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles. The charges stem from Lemon’s coverage of a January 18 protest at a St. Paul church. A federal magistrate judge had already rejected the charges. Press freedom organizations condemned the arrest. CNN called it “profoundly concerning questions about press freedom and the First Amendment.”
Tom Emmer’s response:
“Actions have consequences.”
Three words. That’s what he had to say about the arrest of a journalist.
Now let’s talk about who else has taken actions in Minnesota this month — and what consequences they’ve faced.
Who Faces Consequences
Don Lemon — Covered a protest as a journalist. Consequence: Arrested by federal agents.
Minnesota Protesters — Marched for accountability after two Americans were killed. Emmer’s verdict: “Paid agitators.” “Anarchists.” “Not reflective of Minnesota.”
Mayor Jacob Frey — Asked for accountability and cooperation. Emmer’s verdict: “Small Frey.” “Poor excuse for a mayor.” “Giving his declaration of war speech.”
Governor Tim Walz — Called for de-escalation and cooperation. Emmer’s verdict: “Sounded like Jefferson Davis seceding from the union.”
Yes. Tom Emmer compared the sitting Governor of Minnesota to the president of the Confederacy. On national television. Six days after federal agents killed a Minnesotan.
Who Doesn’t Face Consequences
The federal agents who killed Alex Pretti — Emmer’s verdict: “Brave men and women of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
The federal agents who killed Renee Good — Emmer’s verdict: Nothing. He has never said her name. Day 24.
The Department of Homeland Security — On Friday, the DOJ announced it has opened a civil rights investigation into the Pretti shooting. Emmer’s response: Nothing.
The agents’ identities — Still not public. The federal government has refused to release their names.
Actions have consequences. Unless you’re a federal agent who killed an American citizen. Then you get called “brave” by your congressman.
Who Gets the Rubber Stamp
Also on Friday, President Trump nominated Kevin Warsh to be the next Chair of the Federal Reserve.
Emmer’s response was immediate:
“Kevin Warsh is another outstanding pick by @POTUS. I hope to sit down with him soon to discuss the importance of maintaining America’s status as the crypto capital of the world.”
Not monetary policy. Not inflation. Not the concerns raised by Rep. Don Beyer, who noted that Warsh’s father-in-law is billionaire Trump donor Ronald Lauder. Not the criticism from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who said Warsh “cared more about helping Wall Street after the 2008 crash than millions of unemployed Americans.”
Emmer’s focus: crypto.
This is consistent. Two of Emmer’s six priority issues are crypto-related. He’s received over $95,000 from the crypto industry. And he said the quiet part out loud at a 2020 crypto conference:
“Members of Congress, Republicans, Democrats tend to be very self-focused and selfish about raising resources. And those that don’t understand this area when they see what people can raise if you’re actually working with the industry, they’re gonna want to learn about it.”
Translation: Support crypto, and crypto supports you.
Actions have consequences. For donors, those consequences are access and rubber stamps.
The Fox News Tour
In the last 24 hours, Emmer appeared on both Kudlow (Thursday) and Fox & Friends (Friday morning). In nearly ten minutes of airtime about Minnesota, here’s what he said:
On Kudlow:
Called Frey a “poor excuse for a mayor”
Called protesters “paid agitators, primarily, and protesters... anarchists”
Said Walz, Frey, and Ellison have been “more interested in protecting” undocumented immigrants “than the American citizen”
Claimed “the vast majority of Minnesotans” support ICE operations
On Fox & Friends:
Compared Walz to “Jefferson Davis seceding from the union”
Said Frey sounds like he’s “giving his declaration of war speech”
Called undocumented immigrants an “invasion of rapists, murderers, and pedophiles”
Mocked the mayor as “Small Frey”
Here’s what he didn’t say in ten minutes of talking about Minnesota:
Alex Pretti’s name
Renee Good’s name
Any acknowledgment of the DOJ civil rights investigation
Any acknowledgment of the First Avenue benefit concert happening that day
Any acknowledgment of the thousands of Minnesotans participating in the National Day of Action
Any word of sympathy for the families
Nothing.
What Happened in Minnesota Today
While Emmer was on Fox & Friends, here’s what was happening in his state:
The DOJ announced a civil rights investigation into Alex Pretti’s death. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the FBI and Civil Rights Division are both involved.
First Avenue hosted a sold-out benefit concert for the families of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Tom Morello, Rise Against, and other artists performed. The proceeds go to the families.
Thousands participated in a second National Day of Action. Over 500 businesses closed in solidarity. Minnesotans marched demanding accountability.
Don Lemon and three other journalists were arrested for covering protests. Press freedom groups worldwide condemned the arrests.
Tom Emmer acknowledged one of these events: the arrest. His take? “Actions have consequences.”
The Questions
Why do “actions have consequences” for a journalist, but not for federal agents who killed two American citizens?
You compared Tim Walz to Jefferson Davis. Do you stand by that?
You called protesters “paid agitators” and “anarchists.” What evidence do you have?
The DOJ has opened a civil rights investigation. Congress is debating DHS funding. Do you support accountability measures for ICE and CBP?
It’s been seven days. When will you say Alex Pretti’s name?
📊 MN-06 Watch Research Tools Vote Tracker • Tweet Archive • Transcripts
We document what your representative does. You decide what it means.
Subscribe to MN-06 Watch for daily accountability coverage of Rep. Tom Emmer.
Sources: Fox News (Fox & Friends, Kudlow), ABC News, NBC News, CBS News, NPR, PBS, Washington Post, Associated Press, Committee to Protect Journalists, Rep. Don Beyer’s office, First Avenue, Rep. Emmer’s public social media posts.