Institute of Politics

Pop Up: The Minnesota Moment: ICE, Guns, and American Rights on Trial Will Minnesota prove to be a cultural and political turning point for America? As tens of thousands of Americans protest the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti after weeks of confrontations with armed federal agents, key questions about constitutional rights and federal powers loom large. Will armed federal forces—particularly ICE and CBP agents—retreat from major cities or continue to expand their presence? Will there be meaningful investigations and accountability for those who have broken the law? How might those deaths, the clashes in the streets, and the raids on homes, schools, and workplaces reshape our understanding of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 14th Amendments on the eve of the nation’s 250th birthday? Is this a moment that will bring politicians and voters closer together around shared values, or simply drive the country further apart? Featuring, in person, former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who has launched a new initiative to collect and publish videos documenting alleged abuses by federal agents, along with a slate of guest speakers joining virtually. Please note that in-person attendance is limited to current UChicago students. Non-students are invited to tune in via the livestream on our YouTube channel! If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact iopevents@uchicago.edu. Tuesday, February 10, 2026 12:00 – 1:00 pm CT Institute of Politics