Jake Lang, a far-right January 6 rioter pardoned by Donald Trump, kicks at the “PROSECUTE ICE” ice sculpture on the Minnesota State Capitol steps in what appears to be military-style clothing. The image is taken from a video he posted himself online.
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | February 2026
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Edward Jacob “Jake” Lang, a far‑right activist who was convicted for his role in the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol attack and later pardoned by President Trump, was arrested Wednesday after destroying an ice sculpture on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol. The sculpture, which read “PROSECUTE ICE,” had been dedicated earlier that day by veterans and community leaders as part of a public protest organized by the advocacy group Common Defense.
Lang posted a video of himself kicking and toppling the sculpture so that it read “PRO ICE,” prompting immediate law enforcement action. He was stopped by a Minnesota State Patrol trooper and booked into Ramsey County Jail on suspicion of criminal damage to property. Prosecutors have filed a felony charge, which carries potential penalties of up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
The ice sculpture was valued at several thousand dollars and had been installed legally as a public demonstration. Organizers and veterans present at the dedication condemned Lang’s actions, describing the vandalism as an attack on lawful protest and free speech. State Representative María Isa Pérez‑Vega called the arrest a necessary message that “lawlessness and intimidation at the Capitol will not be tolerated” and noted Lang has been trespassed from the premises.
Lang, who had been pardoned for his federal charges related to the January 6 attack, claimed his actions were protected under the First Amendment, though prosecutors counter that damaging private property is not constitutionally protected.
The incident has drawn renewed attention to Lang’s past involvement in the Capitol attack and raises questions about security at public demonstrations on the Capitol grounds.
