Former Minnesota Governor and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura has strongly criticized the Trump administration following the deployment of ICE agents in Minneapolis and the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good on January 7, 2026. Speaking with FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul outside his alma mater, Roosevelt High School, Ventura labeled former President Donald Trump a “draft-dodging coward” and accused him of undermining the U.S. Constitution.

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Ventura Speaks Out on ICE Deployment

Ventura, 74, visited Roosevelt High School on January 8 to show support for students and staff who resisted the federal agents’ presence. He highlighted that school was canceled the following day after Border Patrol agents reportedly “tackled several people and deployed chemical irritants” as students and teachers left the building.

“I just came here today to show my support as a graduate of Roosevelt and tell them how proud I was of what they did, of keeping ICE off of this campus,” Ventura said. “This is a place of learning. And what we’re getting right now is violating all that, what kids are being taught.”

Ventura emphasized that the use of federal forces without warrants undermines local law enforcement and violates constitutional principles:

“The military cannot be turned loose unless it’s a national emergency. They’re going to tell me this is a national emergency. Who was that? You mean the draft-dodging coward?”

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Criticism of Trump’s Military and Political Decisions

The former governor did not hold back in condemning Trump’s past and present actions. Ventura drew parallels between military overreach in Minneapolis and authoritarian practices abroad:

“You know how I know we’re a third-world country? Because in third-world countries, they have the military doing their police work in the cities… I was in the Philippines the day Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law… That’s what’s happening here, and people better wake up to it.”

Ventura, who served as an independent governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003, recalled his own military service in Southeast Asia, contrasting it with Trump avoiding military duty during the Vietnam era:

“I spent 17 months in Southeast Asia while the draft dodger was playing golf. Most of my friends are Vietnam veterans. We had to go. But the rich White boys never had to go, did they?”

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Support for Local Leaders and Constitutional Values

Despite his independence from party politics, Ventura praised Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats, for their stance against ICE agents following Renee Good’s death. Ventura applauded their efforts in defending constitutional principles and supporting local communities:

“Good for them and good for these people that stood up. They’re teaching their students something that we are a country that we have to be a country of law and a country of the Constitution.”

Ventura also expressed concern about the Republican Party, citing January 6, 2021, as a turning point in viewing domestic threats to the Constitution:

“I took an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I view, after January 6, [2021], the Republican Party as a domestic enemy to our Constitution.”

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Ventura Hints at Political Comeback

While Ventura has previously stated he does not plan to return to public office, his frustration with the Trump administration has prompted speculation about a possible run:

“Maybe it’s time for Jesse,” he mused. “I only did one term. I’m owed a second.”

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Conclusion

Jesse Ventura’s candid remarks reflect growing criticism of federal law enforcement tactics and the use of ICE agents in domestic cities. By calling out Trump as a “draft-dodging coward” and highlighting constitutional violations, Ventura positions himself as a vocal defender of civil liberties and local governance. His statements underscore the tensions between federal authority, civil rights, and community safety in Minneapolis and beyond.