Washington, DC - Today, Congressman issued the following statement regarding recent events in Minnesota.

"We never want to see any loss of life," said Congressman Van Drew. "What happened in Minnesota must be investigated fairly, openly, and objectively. There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered, and every possibility needs to be looked at. Americans have a right to protest peacefully, and that right must always be respected. Americans also have a fundamental Second Amendment right, and I will always stand by and defend that. At the same time, protests cannot impede law enforcement from doing their job. When law enforcement is blocked or interfered with, it puts everyone at greater risk.

"That said, state and federal authorities need to work together. Law enforcement must be able to carry out targeted operations, arrest their intended criminal targets, and move on safely without unnecessary escalation or conflict. ICE agents are operating under immense pressure, working hard to make our streets a safer place. There is a balance that must be maintained, and it requires mutual respect: respect for life, respect for the rule of law, and respect for the rights of the public. Lowering the temperature and focusing on the facts is the way forward."