A Johnson County commissioner’s recent Facebook post expressing her “moral outrage” over the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota brought the wrath of the far-right social media account Libs of TikTok.
That online firestorm came in the same week that other local officials have started to weigh in on the ongoing conflict in Minnesota, after weeks of mostly peaceful protests, sometimes-violent clashes and the shooting deaths of two people, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, at the hands of federal agents.
Johnson County Commissioner Becky Fast posted her message about the turmoil in Minnesota to her official Facebook account on Sunday.
Fast, who hails from a town in southwestern Minnesota, wrote of her great-grandparents’ immigration in the 1870s, saying:
“As a former Minnesotan, I’m deeply saddened by the administration’s escalating violence against the state my great-grandparents immigrated to in the 1870s and were greeted with open arms.
“As a farm kid who owns a century-old family farm in southwestern Minnesota, my family and friends have experienced the unwavering love and support of numerous immigrant neighbors who’ve been crucial to keeping rural communities like my hometown thriving.
“As a social worker, I am compelled to express my moral outrage regarding the long-term damage being inflicted upon communities through the trauma they are enduring.”
She included a link to Standwithminnesota.com, which is a directory of places raising funds for organizations supporting the protesters’ cause.
Libs of TikTok prompts social media pile-on
The Libs of TikTok account, which reposts and mocks content from persons it considers left-wing, reposted Fast’s message a day later.
Libs of TikTok posted a screenshot of Fast’s Facebook post on X on Monday, writing in the caption, “Becky should RESIGN. This is disgraceful.”
The account took particular issue with the link Fast included, saying the donations would go to a “network” of groups that “coordinates the doxing and harassment of ICE.”
While it’s true that the Stand with Minnesota link included information on forming rapid response networks in other cities to surveil and protest ICE agents, it did not appear to direct any donations to those activities, nor does it raise or distribute funds to any cause on its own. It did include an extensive list of organizations to donate for grocery delivery, rent and missed income, pet support, a diaper fund and mental health care for people impacted by the ongoing immigration raids.
What followed was a hailstorm of angry comments in response to Libs of TikTok’s X post. Hundreds of commenters called for Fast’s resignation or prosecution for insurrection.
One writer likened Fast’s stance to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump, who were intent on stopping the certification of election results showing his loss to Joe Biden in 2020.
“Becky Fast, Commissioner for Johnson County, Kansas should be charged and prosecuted for participation in attempting to overthrow the Federal Government. This is a genuine J6 moment. Wake up,” a commenter wrote.
Others expressed contempt for white, liberal women, Democrats and some for Johnson County in general.
“Johnson County KS has become a haven of horrid, white liberal women. We are desperately in need of Conservatives. Please come save Kansas,” wrote another.
Also this: “Becky and her Democrat friends have turned Johnson County into a 3rd world. Try shopping there. 90% of the store employees or customers are from Pakistan, Bangladesh, or India, etc. Don’t ask for help, they can’t speak English.”
“I stand by what I said”
Fast has since deactivated her entire Facebook page, a fact that the Libs of TikTok account also later noted.
Fast, who learned about Libs of TikTok’s post about her post as she was in the hospital caring for her sick brother, said she had no apologies. She said she didn’t want to add more fuel, but did provide a brief statement to the Post.
“I stand by what I said. I called for unity and support for our neighbors. I was raised on a Minnesota family farm in a rural community where neighbors help neighbors, and those values still guide me,” she said.
JoCo Chair also posted message about Minnesota
As the situation in Minnesota continues to make news, other local officials have also begun to comment on social media.
County commission Chair Mike Kelly also posted to Facebook about the conflict at about the same time Fast’s was blowing up on X. His did not include links.
“My thoughts all weekend have been with my friends in Minnesota. The great metro of Minneapolis-St. Paul has become a summer retreat for my family, and spending time with amazing people in that great community has shaped core memories for us all. It makes the sight of what’s happening now tough to fathom. Like you, I’m appalled at how our federal government is betraying our constitutional rights, and gaslighting us into not believing what we can all clearly see. I trust that the majority of citizens join me demanding a halt to these actions, and full, transparent accountability for all involved,” he wrote.
Kelly did not respond to the Post’s request for further comment.
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Mission, Prairie Village officials also weigh in on ICE
Minnesota was also on the mind of Prairie Village Mayor Eric Mikkelson, who posted a note on Instagram clarifying how his city would respond if ICE became more active there.
Mikkelson said he has discussed with Police Chief Eric McCullough how the department expects to interact with ICE.
The Prairie Village Police Department does not actively participate in immigration enforcement, Mikkelson said, but also must comply with state and federal laws and would not interfere with the federal agents.
“If a similar situation were to occur here our officers would respond as they would to any other disturbance and do their best to calm things down,” Mikkelson wrote, adding that they would contact supervisors so they can respond and assist. “Our officers have a duty to intervene if they witness what they believe to be an excessive use of force from any law enforcement agency.”
He continued, “Rest assured that everything that can reasonably be done here to prevent similar tragic circumstances is ongoing. These are difficult times. We’re in this together with shared goals of peace, justice and safety.”
Mission Police Chief Dan Madden published a similar letter to residents in that community on Thursday.
He addressed it to “those who may be feeling anxious or unsettled by recent news about immigration enforcement activities in other parts of the country.”
He said Mission Police, like other local agencies, is prohibited from interfering with federal immigration operations and that the city’s police force “would be limited to maintaining public safety, such as peacekeeping or traffic control,” if an enforcement action or raid were to occur there.
“Our officers would not join in planning, arrests, transport, or follow-up to any federal immigration activities. If a situation involves a separate local crime, the Mission Police Department will handle only the local offense,” Madden wrote.
