Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Ilhan Omar’s got some serious cojones

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The representative chose to carry on with her town hall in north Minneapolis after an attacker came at her with a syringe reportedly filled with vinegar. Omar’s private security tackled the man who lunged at her, but not before the diminutive DFLer showed her mettle, looking as if she was ready to square-off against the deranged attacker. To start, I give Omar tons of credit for holding an in-person town hall when the tough-talking Republican members of the Minnesota’s delegation hide behind their telephones and keyboards, taking only prescreened questions and spewing vitriol online. Omar said she’s not going to allow a bully to take her down. You don’t have to agree with Omar to appreciate her commitment, courage and cojones, especially now.

Republican legislators continue to call for “both sides” to “lower the temperature” and implausibly blame Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for creating a hostile environment in our state. Have these Republicans checked out the daily stream of noxious social media posts from President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance? Minnesotans, including Frey and Walz, are fighting fair with peaceful protests, legal action and people power. The temperature these Republicans seek to lower will metaphorically drop through the floor the minute ICE leaves town, and that day cannot come soon enough.

Especially Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz and judges Katherine Menendez, Laura Provinzino and John Tunheim. If Minnesotans can get any sleep, it’s because we have exemplary federal judges defending the rule of law. These four are at the center of the storm, being asked to step into disputes regarding the scope and alarming tactics of the federal immigration activity in Minnesota. This state’s federal bench has long focused on the fair application of the law, not the partisan pandering seen from far too many judges elsewhere.

Rosen is even worse at his job than seemed possible when he took office last fall. He continues to make it abundantly clear that he’s little more than a toady for Trump. Court records are already replete with embarrassing apologies from Rosen because the office is understaffed and he’s ill-prepared. Is there a staffing shortage? Yes, because the office’s most capable lawyers walked out the door rather than do Rosen’s partisan bidding. It’s confounding how quickly and completely Rosen, who grew up local and built a successful Minneapolis real estate law firm with his father, dumped the law and his reputation in the ditch to do Trump’s dirty work.

The Minnesota Vikings’ Hall Of Famer came out strong against the violent federal immigration enforcement action in Minnesota. “I am NOT okay with people being taken from their homes and families being ripped apart. I am NOT okay with people being denied due process,” Randle wrote. In another post he said, “Stand together and love one another” and #iceout. That’s how you make a statement. Honorable mention to the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Naz Reid who describes Minnesota as “One love.” TTYL, heading out for my Naz Reid tattoo.

Chris Ostroushko’s angry rant against ICE turned him into a straight-talking symbol of Minnesota’s moral outrage and resistance. Not much of a protester until recently, Ostroushko’s become a sensation, a sought-after interview by the national media and an inspiration. “That voice of an average, everyday person, people tend to listen to a little more, because they’re like, ‘Damn, that guy’s like me. I can get out and do that,’” Ostroushko said. Every voice matters.

The Republican contest for Minnesota governor is flat and much less interesting in his absence. Madel went out with his characteristic prickly bravado, criticizing federal immigration agents for targeting Minnesotans of color. He also condemned the weaponization of criminal investigations against political opponents. Those are truth bombs I would have loved to have seen from Madel on debate stages with other GOP candidates.

He signed an executive order to require weapons screening at the State Capitol before the start of the 2026 session next month. He directed security to have weapons screening technology and staff ready to go. Those with permits to carry guns can still bring them to the Capitol, but Walz’s order is a solid and overdue step in making the building safer. While pleased, House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson of Coon Rapids said he’s going to continue to advocate for a full ban on guns at the Capitol. Good. How can there be any doubt remaining that we need weapons screening at the Capitol as soon as possible?