Pardoned January 6 participant and right-wing influencer Jake Lang says he was injured while taking part in a protest in Minneapolis.
Lang—who was pardoned on charges tied to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack after spending several years in jail—claimed he was stabbed at a rally outside Minneapolis City Hall on Saturday. He alleged a counter-protester attacked him during his “March Against Minnesota Fraud” event.
Newsweek has not been able to independently verify Lang’s account. A Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) spokesperson told Newsweek that authorities are “aware of social media accounts of him being assaulted,” but said no police report has been filed.
Why It Matters
Lang organized the “March Against Minnesota Fraud” to protest a sweeping investigation into alleged fraud in Minnesota’s social services system. Those charged in the case have largely been of Somali descent, and federal prosecutors have said billions of dollars intended to support low-income residents since 2018 were likely stolen.
The demonstration also unfolded during heightened tensions in Minnesota following the federal government’s deployment of thousands of immigration enforcement agents to the city. Earlier this month, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good—a mother of three and a U.S. citizen—during a confrontation on a residential street in Minneapolis, an incident that has sparked widespread protests.
What To Know
Posting on X, Lang said he went to a hospital for treatment and described the injuries he said he sustained.
“I was just literally LYNCHED by an anti white mob of liberals & illegal immigrants- I’m at the hospital now getting staples in my skull…Nearly ripped limb from limb in Minneapolis!!!!” he wrote.
Lang has also set up a fundraising page to help cover medical expenses, which he said has raised more than $8,000 toward a $20,000 goal.
Earlier Saturday, he wrote online that he had been stabbed by a “crazie white commie leftist rioter.”
Hundreds of counter-protesters gathered near Lang’s demonstration outside Minneapolis City Hall. Videos circulating from the scene appear to show Lang struggling with people as he tries to leave the area.
Before the protest began, Lang announced it on X and said he would “burn a Quran on the steps of Minneapolis City Hall.”
What People Are Saying
Reaction online was mixed.
One X user wrote: “Bro, you went there to burn a Quran. While it’s absolutely your free speech rights, you purposely instigated this… not good strategy.”
Another wrote: “OMG I initially thought that was a clip from January 6. I missed this, wow, so glad you’re OK Jake, they’re animals, please be careful and go with a big group next time.”
An MPD spokesperson told Newsweek: “MPD encourages anyone who has experienced assaultive behavior to report the incident as soon as possible and provide as much detail as they can, including the date, time, and location of the incident, a description of any suspects, and the nature and extent of any injuries sustained.”
What Happens Next
Tensions remain high in Minnesota, with President Donald Trump threatening this week to invoke the Insurrection Act to quell demonstrations.
